ADAMS, Mass. -- An eight-mile, mostly uphill climb to the the highest point in the commonwealth is enough of a challenge for any runner.

 

For Mount Greylock Regional School senior Rafael Mellow-Bartels, Sunday brought another problem.

 

"I think, for me, the main challenge was just running without anybody around me," Mellow-Bartels said after completing the 48th annual Mount Greylock Road Race.

 

"It was kind of foggy for the last two miles, so I couldn't see anybody. I had my watch, so I knew how far I was, and I knew my pace. But I didn't know where anybody else was. I think that was the challenge for me."

 

Mellow-Bartels may have to get used to those times when no one can match his pace.

 

On Sunday, he averaged 8 minutes, 41 seconds per mile over the 8-mile course to finish in 1:09.28, good for 10th place overall and first in his group, men 19 and under.

 

The race saw 176 runners post a time, with finishes ranging from just more than an hour to just less than three hours.

 

Erik Vandendries of Chestnut Hill was the first person across the finish line at the summit, clocking a time of 1:00:29, 20 seconds ahead of runner-up Steven Brightman of Providence, R.I.

 

The first woman to hit the tape was Huntington, Vt.s, Kasie Enman in 1:05:15. Turners Falls' Liv Lohmeier was the second woman to finish the race in 1:11:17.

 

The top Berkshire County runner on Sunday was Frederick King (1:06:44) of Housatonic in seventh place. Williamstown's Sarah Rowe (1:24:05) was the fastest county woman.

 

Four Mount Greylock cross country team members competed in Sunday's race "for training and for fun," Mellow-Bartels said. Last fall, he and teammate Patrick Holland helped the Mounties finish eighth in the Division 3 State Championship meet; this year's high school season gets underway on Saturday at Berkshire Community College.

 

"I wouldn't say I had a goal coming into [Sunday's race]," Mellow-Bartels said. "It was the first time doing this, just doing it to have some fun with some of my teammates. ... I was aiming for an hour and 15 minutes. I ran an hour and nine minutes. So I think that's a good outcome."

 

Photos from this race to come.

 

The top 10 finishers plus Berkshire County runners on Sunday included:

 

1. Erik Vandendries, 1 hour, 29 seconds; 2. Steve Brightman, 1:00:49; 3. Michael Narcisi, 1:03:05; 4. Adam Cook, 1:03:13; 5. Ben Taska, 1:03:24; 6. Kasie Enman, 1:05:15; 7. Frederick King, Housatonic, 1:06:44; 8. Raphael Bruno, Pittsfield, 1:07:02; 9. John Beaver, 1:07:18; 10. Rafa Mellow-Bartels, Williamstown, 1:09:28; 17. Ian Nesbitt, Clarksburg, 1:14:37; 25. Patrick Holland, Williamstown, 1:18:02; 25. Luke Irwin, Williamstown, 1:18:11; 27. Boaz Slater Lee, Williamstown, 1:18:23; 34. Jonathan Igoe, Williamstown, 1:20:32; 44. Adam Howland, North Adams, 1:23:09; 52. Sarah Rowe, Williamstown, 1:24:05; 57. Daniel Wheeler, Lanesborough, 1:25:07; 65. Christine Tower, North Adams, 1:28:00; 66. Carmel Kushi, Pittsfield, 1:28:07; 67. Kelly Maginnis, Pittsfield, 1:28:18; 68. Allison Mead, Dalton, 1:28:23; 82. Amanda King, Great Barrington, 1:33:03; 84. Christine Arace, Pittsfield, 1:33:08; 110. Brandee Nelson, Great Barrington, 1:41:27; 122. Melissa Canata, Lanesborough, 1:45:34; 123. Robert Markwith, Pittsfield, 1:45.53; 124. Kristie McLaughlin, Sandisfield, 1:46:04; 128. Leanne Curran, Lee, 1:46:41; 130. Megan Tucker, Dalton, 1:47:47; 137. Kelly Ott, Pittsfield, 1:50.06; 143. Wendy Zunitch, Pittsfield, 153.03; 145. Kate Meierdiercks, Otis, 1:53.40; 162. Tony Riello, Pittsfield, 2:02:29; 166. Todd Hamilton, North Adams, 2:09:03; 167. Donna Palma, Pittsfield, 2:09:10; 175. Sara Markwith-Padgett, Pittsfield, 2:58:36.