OCTOBER BUSY MONTH FOR RACERS
The deletion of the Pfizer United Way 5K in September set the tone for the local race calendar with runners having to search away from home grounds for races this month. October is a much more fertile month, although some “must do” races are not in Morris County. The first weekend of the month offers several choices with the Florham Park Jaycees 5K starting the flood of races on Saturday, October 1st.
Sunday, October 2, local racers can choose from a trail race in Mendham or a 5K and 10K in Morris Township on roads and paved paths. The Mendham Run for Patriots 10K is a point-to-point race, beginning at the Ralston Fire House. The course to the Brookside Community Club Fields on a Patriots Path trail is described as rugged, so runner beware.
On the other hand, the Country Squire races that are normally held in September boast of only some challenging grades as they wind in and around Loantaka Brook Reservation.
Runners who participate in USATF-NJ grand pries will be driving to Bergen County for the Joel P. Spector YJCC 10K & 5K Runs. The 10K is the USATF-NJ Open Women Championship, with a high point value of 700 New Balance Grand Prix points for the10K. The 5K is a standard 500 point race.
On Saturday October 8th, the now famous Hounds and Harriers three mile race at Loantaka Brook Reservation in Morris Township takes place. Several articles have appeared in national publications about this unique race and race director, Barbara Rushman has generously shared her organizational tips to race directors around the country on how to hold a successful canine/people race.
Loantaka Brook Reservation is becoming a staple location for road races as well as fund raising walks. On Saturday, October 15, a new race in 2005, the Family Fun Day 5K will take place at the site.
Again, USATF-NJ racers will be traveling outside the county on October 23 to Holmdel Park for the Open and Masters Men and Women 5K Cross Country Championship. The Holmdel Park course is so popular with cross country fans that several racers are expected to come in from out of state to compete.
Back home, in Dover, the Dover Renaissance 5K will be run on Saturday, October 29th.
That same weekend on Sunday, the 30th, the USATF-NJ Open & Masters Men & Women 8K Cross Country Championships will be held at Deer Path Park in Readington. Road racers will be able to go to the Safe Dating Challenge 5Kat the College Of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station.
In addition to the races mentioned here, marathoners in training will likely enter the Long Beach Island 18 Mile race on the 9th, and some will go to early fall races outside the state.
Masters cross country racers will travel to the National USATF cross country championships in Saratoga, New York on the 16th . In all there is no dearth of races in one of the best months for racing.
LOCALS ARE DOING WELL IN NEW BALANCE GRAND PRIX
Several local runners are high in the standings in the New Balance Grand Prix. John Sabatino of Morris Plains has the lead overall with all required nine races done. Greg Mullins of Wharton with eight races completed is in 8th place.
On the women’s side, Jane Parks of Morristown with all nine races is in second place, with Pam Fales of Boonton in seventh with eight races and Karyn Layton of Rockaway in 8th place with only seven races completed.
In Masters men, Charlie Slaughter of Parsippany has the M50 lead as does Bill Hagman of Morris Plains in the M60 division.
A lot of changes can take place after today’s Liberty Waterfront Half Marathon in Jersey City.
Originally published in the DAILY RECORD of Morris County on Sunday, September 25, 2005
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2005