NEWBURYPORT - A year ago, only eight teams of racers came to Federal Street to test their creative and architectural skills in the annual Lions Club Bed Race.
Last night, 14 teams showed up to brave the 90-degree heat.
Watchers from throughout the area crowded the street from top to bottom, equipped with water bottles and portable fans to beat the unrelenting heat.
There were a good number of newcomers eager to run the 400 yards from the top of Federal Street to the Tannery, including Ed Cameron and his team, 5 Bald Guys and a Barber.
"It seems like a great community event to get everyone involved," Cameron said. "It looks like a great time, so we plan to have a lot of fun in it ourselves."
There were, of course, returning teams, including Kevin Winn's Simply Sweet Keystone Pops, who won for speed last year but this year focused on winning the best theme award.
The "flagship" of the 14 racers was The Pirates of the Merrimack, led by team captain Hans Schonemann. The Pirates not only beat the other teams, but also last year's record by 6 seconds in a time of 1 minute, 2 seconds.
Teammate Matt Langis said the reason that they entered the race was a fulfillment of a promise Schonemann made to his daughter. He also said that the pirate theme came from a partially made parade float that he (Schonemann) had.
Talladega Nights got some sympathy from the crowd along with a second-place finish.
Seconds into their race, a young spectator on a bicycle crashed into their bed, injuring one runner, forcing them to have to sit out a run and wait until last to go. Despite the setback, they finished in 1 minute, 6 seconds, which also beats last year's course record of 1 minute, 8 seconds.
Taking home this year's award for best theme were the Grateful Bedheads, who donned green swimming caps and wings (greenheads) with the words "July in PI" on their bed.
Annual Lions Club Bed Race Teams in order of finish
The Pirates - Time 1 minute, 2 seconds
Hans Schonemann
Matt Langis
Pat Ward
Gary Davis
Chris Heline
Jake Vartabedian
Talladega Nights - Time 1 minute, 6 seconds
Sean McCarthy
Ray Andrews
Jeff Nunan
Chris Sintros
Erin Connors
Mary Godfrey
Natural High - Time 1 minute, 11 seconds
John Whitcomb
Joe Marttila
Kim Coppinger
Kim Marttila
Mark O'Brien
Rob Germinara
Fish PI - Time 1 minute, 12 seconds
Jim Kazmer
Dave Kazmer
Dave Rosolowski
Jen Howe
Lyons Ambulance - Time 1 minute, 14 seconds
Kevin Moore
Ken Watson
Greg Hogan
Mike Watson
Trevor Hogan
George Pinchott
Pat Hogan
Winner's Circle - Time 1 minute, 15 seconds
Mike McCormack
Chris Kealey
Kristen Broderick
Derek Dorval
Laurie Gaudreau
Gary Passler
Rubbish Removal - 1 minute, 17 seconds
Jason Lacroix
Dale Whittredge
Travis Ferland
David Doggett
Colin Doggett
Daniel Doggett
Emilie Arthur
The Great Awakening (Old South Church) - 1 minute, 19 seconds
Pastor Rob John
Josh Brown
Jonathan Bromhead
Eric Bartle
John Fredette
Lisa Matthewson
5 Bald Guys and a Barber - Time 1 minute, 20 seconds
Ed Cameron
Tom Jones
Mike Costello
Esther Sayer
Rich Hermann
Peter Bartkewicz
Pinewood Derbsters - Time 1 minute, 28 seconds
Mary Garvey
Bill Lincoln
Bob McCraven
Dave Wilson
Hank Garvey
Mark Sakaniwa
Institution For Savings - Time 1 minute, 55 seconds
David Boudreau
Joshua Perkins
Jon Soltys
Jen Donovan
Leanne Corming
Susannah Landreth
Simply Sweet Keystone Pops - Time 2 minutes, 7 seconds
Kevin Winn
Ed Morse
Steve Richard
Tom Siemasko
Mark Doyle
Kristina Kelley
Grateful Bedheads - Time 2 minutes, 8 seconds
Kathy Strott
Kay Halloran
Jan Hirschfield
Patti Pascucelli
Nancy Earls
Andrea Egmont
Shark Attack - Time 2 minutes, 12 seconds
Amy Bride
Jenny Bride
Mariska Pierce
Bryan Sheckells
Tim Harkins
Becky Boyer
Hathaway Rogers
Chontelle Clark
