The 41st Bridge of Flowers Classic and 3K Charity Race kicks off Saturday morning, with one of the more competitive fields the race has ever seen expected to be in attendance.
With the 8K portion of the race being selected by the USA Track and Field Association as part of its New England Championship Series, running clubs from all over the region are sending harriers to Shelburne Falls this weekend.
Amos Sang, of Chicopee, is competing again, and the defending champion will once again be one of the favorites on the course.
Sang won the first-ever 8K race at the Bridge of Flowers a year ago with a time of 25 minutes, 13 seconds, and he also won the race back in 2014 when it was a 10K (28:00).
Challenging Sang will be Ben Groleau of Northampton, who is the UMass record-holder in the mile with a time of 4:01 a few years ago.
Groleau runs for Western Mass. Distance Project, one of the top running clubs in New England. The squad won the team title at the Bridge of Flowers a year ago.
Another favorite in the 8K is Lou Serafini from Somerville, who runs for the Tracksmith Club in Boston. Serafini is the club’s top runner, and has broken the four-minute mile mark in addition to a 1:03 half marathon.
“He’s one of the best guys in New England,” assistant race director Dan Smith said.
Ruben Sanca of Boston is another runner who will challenge for the top spot. The Cape Verde native represented his country in the 2012 Olympics, running the 5,000 meters. He has broken 14 minutes in the 5,000, and currently runs for Whirlaway Racing Team.
John Busque, the 2017 winner of the 10K Bridge of Flowers Classic, is back and will likely be a top finisher.
The Manchester, Connecticut, resident won the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race in 2018 with a time of 30:37.
Those five competitors are expected to be among the lead pack.
“It’s unique because the top guys are similar in that they run fast for a mile and run distance well,” Smith said. “Those are the five to beat. There are several other strong runners to mention but the pedigree of those five, they’re on fire.”
Smith said he would not be surprised if record times are posted Saturday.
“Given the field this year, where there’s so many heavy hitters and the weather is looking good,” Smith said, “if guys break 25 minutes on this course, it would be impressive and I think guys are capable of it.”
The women’s group features a talented group of runners.
A yearly favorite, 2014 champion Karen Bertasso is returning and will once again be in contention for the top spot.
The Albany, New York, resident qualified for the Olympic Trials in Atlanta next spring in the marathon.
Jenna Gigliotti of Amherst and Danielle Winslow of South Hadley should challenge Bertasso.
Gigliotti is on the Western Mass. Distance Project team. Winslow won the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race this year.
“There are a lot of great women running Saturday, but those three women stick out the most,” Smith said.