The second-place finisher in the men's division and the third-place woman have ties to the area, while a Dedham High senior won the James Joyce Ramble Scholarship and won his age bracket.

In all there was plenty to be happy about yesterday at the Endicott Estate. Last year was not a day conducive for good times or good fun, with a cold drizzle pelting the field as it snaked its way through the streets of Dedham.

Yesterday was the exact opposite. The race began under an overcast sky that obviously wasn't going to hold the sun back for very long, cool temperatures and a light wind.

But by the time Clinton, MA's Ryan Carrara crossed the finish line in 31:21 to take home this year's title, Endicott's lawn was bathed in sun and the fun was just beginning.

"Not as many Kenyans," Carrara joked to the crowd during the awards ceremony when asked what his secret was.

Carrara held off Westwood's John Dudley, who runs for the Boston Athletic Association and finished second in 31:26. In his first Ramble, Dudley ran a 5:04 pace but said he never really threatened Carrara.

"Ryan really got out there pretty quick," said Dudley, who owned Westwood's single-season outdoor track points record until Steve Small broke it a little more than a week ago. "We thought we'd reel him back in and make a go of it. But he kept plugging away and kept the lead the whole way. It was pretty impressive."

Chris Magill, of Albion, RI, was third in 31:32, Pawtucket's Steve Bishop was fourth (31:34) and Nick Richardson, of Jamaica Plain, was fifth (31:36).

Dudley said the race started off a little slower than he would've liked, although he enjoyed the hills that greet the runners at the three-mile mark when the course heads through the Noble and Greenough School.

"It was a little bit slower race than I'm used to," said Dudley, who's run with the BAA for two years after graduating from Notre Dame and getting a masters at BC. "Without the Kenyans here nobody took over. Chris was out there with Ryan for a while, but then dropped back with the rest of the BAA guys."

While the Kenyans' domination of the Boston Marathon trickled down to the Ramble, the calendar and a dropoff in sponsorships kept them away this year.

Not on the women's side, though. Emily Samoei covered the course in 34:18, a 5:32 pace, to win and was followed closely by Agnes Ngunjiri, who was second in 34:46.

Stow, MA's Rebecca Donaghue, a Dedham High art teacher and girls cross country coach, was third in 35:27. Two years ago, Donaghue was the top American female when she finished fourth and, after sitting out a year with a foot fracture, she took home that honor again yesterday.

"I ran about a minute-and-a-half slower than two years ago," said Donaghue, who runs for Reebok Boston. "I'm happy I guess. . .my first race back, I'm happy. I was just trying to see where I'm at. I went out a little bit slower, a little more conservative. After the third mile I felt like, 'Ooh, I haven't done this in a year.' "

Donaghue had Ngunjiri in her sights most of the race, but said she never challenged.

"That's their job," said Donaghue, of Samoei and Ngunjiri. "I'm an art teacher full time, so it's tough."

Dedham High senior Dan O'Connor has had a tough year, suffering a collapsed lung and undergoing heart surgery. But he's hardly shown any ill effects, running cross country and playing baseball for the Marauders.

O'Connor, who'll attend UConn, received some tuition help when he was awarded the first James Joyce Ramble Scholarship. O'Connor, 17, also won his age category and finished 43rd overall with a 38:44.

"I was happy with it, but I didn't really train so you feel like you could've done a lot better," said O'Connor. "I felt great. The sun beating down felt great. . .it gave you energy."

Sam Moorhead, another Dedham resident, was second behind O'Connor in the 19-and-under category, running 38:52 and finishing 44th overall.

Dedham's William Bliss finished third in the 70-and-over division, clocking in at 1:02.52.

In the female 19-and-under group, Dedhamites Tania Pisano (50:00) and Daily News Transcript Girls Swimming All-Star Kathleen Black (52:24) were second and third, behind Framingham's Katie Campion.

Westwood's Angelika Evans ran 55:55 to finish third in the 50-59 division and Elizabeth Games posted a 1:08.22 for second in the 60-69 division.