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