A record turn out for this Year's Navesink Challenge 5K and 15K with over 800 participants in the races this year as they conquered the challenging course which was carved out millions of years ago in the last ice age.. It was a perfect day to run those back roads and many hills of the Navesink with sunny skies and temperatures at the start in the mid 40's with just a little north wind.
The 15K went off first at precisely 10 AM preceded by the singing of the National Anthem. The field of about 600 started out at Bodman Park the sight of the Jersey Shore Running Club's regular Sunday Run and made their way to Cooper Road which is a mostly dirt road bordered by horse farms and the Navesink Country Club. They climbed what is affectionately known as "Kick Ass" Hill by local runners and then made their way through more back roads in Huber Woods and a large loop back to Cooper Road and a climb back to Bodman Park and the finish line.
The 5K started a 5 minutes after the 15K and covered a portion of the larger course above but forsake the climb up "Kick Ass" Hill. The runners turned just before the hill and made their way back to Bodman Park and the finish - still a quite challenging 5K course.
In the 15 K the men's winner was Vincent Ferrer of Belford in a time of 56:00. He was followed by Greg Mendina of Navesink in a time of 56:14 and Jeff Propert of Wall in a time of 56:54. On the women's side it was JSRC's Dianne DeOliviera of Brick who "breezed" to the finish in a time of 1:02:02. She was followed by Bronawyn O'Leary of Cliffwood Beach in 1:02:39 and Lisa Namath of Wall in 1:03:40.
In the 5k the men's winner was Bobby McGann of Little Silver in a time of 17:21 followed by Sean Rath of Lincroft in a time of 17:35 and Donald Torres of Red Bank in 18:08. For the women it was Lisa Zinv of Middletown in 22:04 followed by Mary Kate Brennan of Staten Island in 22:41 and Sheila Ernst of Middletown in 22:57.
Awards were presented after the races by Race Director, Dave Zurheide in the Park. Middle of the Pack awards were presented to Scott Beaton of Little Egg Harbor and Sherry Walsh of Red Bank. The Annual Admiral Bodman Award went to Nick Durante.
The race was a benefit for the Middletown Youth Athletic Association and many volunteers from the group were there to support the event making refreshments including hot soup for all the finishers.
Afterward many of the runners headed over to the Out back in Middletown for a post race celebration.
Coming Up for runners this Holiday Season are:
Sunday, December 5, 5k,10:30 AM, Reindeer Romp/Mark Catalano 5K, TUSCANY Restaurant, 1490 Rt. 88 West Brick, NJ -
Sunday, December 5, 5K, 10 AM, BEF 5K, Barnegat, High School, Barnegat, NJ Register On Line
Saturday, Dec 11, 5k, 10 AM, Jingle Bell Run, Lake Como, NJ
Sunday, Dec. 26 - Asbury Park Polar Bear Races, on the boardwalk. Five-mile run at 1:00 pm. Ten-Mile walk at 10 a.m.. Information from www.shoreac.org.
Friday, Dec 31, JSRC Twilight Run, Lake Como, NJ, Register On Line
More on Running at the JSRC Web Site.
Comments
I had a great time at the 15k yesterday. I always love JSRC ervents and its well worth the trip from Sussex County.
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