OWASCO - It was a day dominated by veterans at Great Race XXXI, with wins coming from long-time race enthusiasts and some local favorites.

Team Spinach, the 2006 winner, once again dominated the top of the long course standings. But this year, they dominated the first two positions.

Andrew Melnychencko and Matt Belknap, formerly of Spinach, joined with Josh Henry and Benedict Schlimmer to form team Action Sports, taking first place overall (1:59.30) in the long course.

Spinach took second (1:59.59) for the second consecutive year, with teammates Scott Weeks, Mariano Garcia, David Loparco and Michael Schlimmer. The race for third was tight between CNY Hunts (2:01.01), John Trowse Memorial Team (2:01.04) and Wild Stallions (2:02.24), a team that finished fourth last year.

In the short course, familiar faces topped the standings as well.

Two If By Land One If By Sea took first (1:02.48) with Ryan Gilmore, of Auburn, Jim Van Leer and Eric Van Leer, of Skaneateles. Tri Valley Sportsmen took second (1:04.48), Duthe was third (1:10.02), Team 408 was fourth (1:10.27) and Rosie and The Riveters finished fifth (1:11.09) in the short event.

Tri Valley Sportsmen are new to the shorter race, but have competed in the long course for years.

“This year one of our teammates is suffering from fractured ribs so we decided to do the short course instead,” said Tri Valley Sportsman teammate Fred Neumann.“

The Tri Valley Sportsmen - Neumann, Bruce Codington, Todd Sherwood and Aaron Robertson - annually finish in the long course top 20, so they were pleased this year's result.