Rhode Island's Matt Pelletier slipped one by the Kenyans and Ethiopians last summer.

The school teacher from Warwick and relative unknown on the road racing circuit beat a cast of African-born distance specialists in the Yankee Homecoming 10-Mile Road Race, earning the $500 prize for becoming the open champion. Pelletier was the first American-born runner to win the 10-mile race since 2004 and only the second since 1996. He edged two natives of Africa — New York residents Dereje Hailegiorgis and Joseph Ekuom — both of whom took the bus up to Boston the morning of the race to claim the big prize. Instead, Hailegiorgis settled for $300, and Ekuom $150.

Is it possible the New York herd of African-born runners underestimated the talents of New England runners?

"I'd imagine they were disappointed with a second- and third-place finish," said Newburyport cross country coach Don Hennigar, who directs Trav's Trail Race every year. "As a race director, I know they're out for the big money. They'll call and ask if they can get an appearance fee. They'll ask if there's any money for setting course records. It's all about the money for them, and if they're not getting the big prize, it's probably not worth coming up."

Many of the Africans who compete for the 10-mile title are professional runners who compete in various races on the East Coast. For example, Ekuom, a member of Athletes for Christ Running Club, won the Pat Polletta Road Race and Trav's Trail Race in the last year. These athletes often live together and divide and conquer on race day.

"The thing with the Kenyans is it depends on which crew they send up," Hennigar said. "If they send the A group up, the local guys aren't going to touch them. What they have is a whole bunch of guys who live together and train together. They ship themselves out for different races. They make all the money they can make. And then they throw it in the pot. That's what they live off."

Pelletier's victory was even more of a surprise due to the relatively slow winning time (50:59). It was the slowest since 2002, and the second slowest in the last 20 years. In all fairness to Pelletier, the course did change last year, but many locals said the final 1.5-mile stretch on High Street as opposed to Hale Street should have made the course faster. Pelletier was also not the typical collegiate standout. He was a walk-on on the Providence College cross country team but found the training regimen to be too intense for his body.

"Take nothing away from Matt," Hennigar said. "He's an outstanding runner. But it doesn't mean (the Kenyans) weren't disappointed with the way they lined up their runners that day."

Pelham, N.H.'s Patrick Moulton was the last New England runner to capture a 10-mile title in 2004. He is still a threat to earn a top-10 finish, as is his brother, Casey, who ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:15 in 2006 and competed in the Olympic Trials in 2007. He said many of the New England runners are no different from the Africans in their pursuit of the prize money.

"Everybody wants the money," Casey Moulton said. "But sometimes there's nothing you can do about it. If the Kenyans run it in 48 minutes, they're going to win the race unless you've been training like crazy. I want to beat those guys every time I see them on the line, but that's no different from anyone else I see. I don't want to think they're light years ahead. I stay with them as long as I can and try to give them a good race."

Three of the top five men in last year's race were from New England. West Hartford, Conn., native Brendan Callahan placed fourth in 52:15. Natick's Matt Ely placed fifth in 52:21.

"There are a couple of good runners in this area who have proven over the years they can run with those guys," Moulton said. "(Pelletier) is one of them. (Lowell's) Nate Jenkins is another. My brother and I have shown we can do it."

Patrick Moulton will run this year, according to his mother, but Casey gives himself a 50 percent chance of racing after dropping out of last year's race.

"I believe I could've come close to Matt last year, but I was wearing new shoes that dug a hole in my foot," Moulton said. "Lately, I've been working more than running."

Pelletier is not expected to run after winning last year's race with a broken pinkie toe. Since that race, he has been unable to run with lingering pain in the same foot.

So it appears the prize money might return to New York following this year's race. Then again, Pelletier was hardly the favorite leading into last year's race.

"Once these guys get past their college years, anything can happen in this race," Hennigar said. "It's hard to do well in this race when you're focusing your summer time on cross country. You can't go out and hammer a 10-mile race because it's not what you're supposed to be doing. After college, they're trying to make some money. There are some men who are perfectly capable of competing for the prize money."

Yankee Homecoming Winners

10-Miler

YearNameResidenceTime

2008Matt PelletierWarwick, R.I.50:59

2007Alene RetaNew York City50:49

2006Alene RetaNew York City50:47

2005Alene RetaNew York City48:46

2004Patrick MoultonPelham, N.H.50:32

2003Araya HaregotWashington, D.C.49:15

2002Gideon MutisyaHartford, Conn.51:22

2001Gideon MutisyaHartford, Conn.49:52

2000Michael SlinskyChelsea, N.Y.50:51

1999Michael SlinskyChelsea, N.Y.50:51

1998Joshua ChelangaChestnut Hill49:42

1997Houssine SibaKingston, N.Y.49:06

1996Jerry LawsonSan Francisco48:45

1995Michael SlinskyFishkill, N.Y.50:32

Course Record: Simon Karori, 48:01 (1992)

5K (3-mile race before 2000)

2008Thomas WebbWilliston, Vt.15:43

2007Stephen PlouffeMethuen15:26

2006Stephen PlouffeMethuen16:12

2005 Kevin AllietteMethuen15:52

2004Matt GermainHaverhill16:21

2003Casey MoultonPelham, N.H.15:20

2002Dave HingaLowell15:16

2001Matt ElyAndover15:58

2000Matt ElyAndover15:16

1999Matt ElyAndover14:37

1998Gary MelloWoburn15:29

1997Franklin SanchezLynn15:20

1996Ben HefferonPoughkeepsie, N.Y.14:56

1995Travis LandrethNewburyport14:46

5K Course Record: Tie, Matt Ely (2000) and Dave Hinga (2002), 15:16