73 runners crossed the line at Saturday’s Green Mountain Athletic Association Pump It Up! 5 Miler in Jericho and Essex.

76, if you count the three ponies.

As the GMAA Facebook page exclaimed, “One for the history books in Jericho!”

Three loose ponies wandered onto the course just as Neal Graves, the men’s leader, came into the final stretch. The equine Rosie Ruiz wannabes led to a finish line moment nobody will forget: competition, chaos, and pure Vermont charm all in the same frame.

Graves held strong through the final corner to take the win in 29:11. Women’s winner Heather Feldman followed in 31:30.

And then there was the deeper story of the day – three remarkable finishers from the human species. 

Three athletes over the age of 80 (see photo below, Bob Murphy in the middle) took on the full five-mile course and finished with grit and determination that defined the event:

Ted McKnight, 81, 51:02

Bob Murphy, 86, 1:00:47

Peter Mitchell, 86, 1:07:02

Full results and photos: GMAA.run.

Republished with edits from GMAA Facebook page.