FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP RACE OF THE SEASON NEXT SUNDAY IN BERGEN COUNTY
The Joel P. Spector YJCC 10K in Washington Township, Bergen County, kicks off the fall USATF-NJ Championship line-up next Sunday, September 17th.
With many local events to choose from runners from this area still will make the journey east to attend due to the championship status of the race. Those runners who compete in the New Balance Grand Prix series seek out championships as those races have a higher point value than non-championship events. Championships are 700 points while non-championships start at 500 points for the fastest finisher.
A quick look at the grand prix status as of July 7th, the last time it was posted, the top ten have four masters runners, with the top spot occupied by 57 year old Roger Price of Piscataway. In fourth place is Charlie Slaughter, 51, of Parsippany. Local submasters men from this area are Greg Mullins, 31, of Wharton in 7th place and Adam Hantman, 34, of Denville in eighth.
As the race is the Open Men’s Championship top open men should be expected to turn out and begin their climb up in the standings. The top prize this year in the Grand Prix is one thousand dollars so should be worth focusing on getting in the needed races.
Registration for the 10K, and for a 5K begins at 7:00 a.m., with the 10K going off at 8:45 a.m. For more information go to www.oymp.net.
As is true on the men’s side, Masters women dominate the top ten standings in the NBGP, with Sherrie Felton, 45, of Bedminster in first place, ten points ahead of Jane Parks, 53, of Morristown. Karyn Layton, 35, of Rockaway is in fourth.
ITC ON SUNDAY IN MOUNT OLIVE
Local runners get a chance to try a combination event at the International Trace Center Triathlon in Mount Olive this Saturday, September 16th. Unlike traditional triathlons, this event is possible for non-swimmers, as long as they are able to paddle a canoe, which is no small feat for novices.
The event starts with a 14 kilometer mountain bike race, followed by a 4 kilometer canoe leg, ending with a 5 kilometer combination road and off-road course. Individuals may do all three legs, or teams, of two or four may compete.
The event is so popular, with many entrants coming from outside the area, that entries are no longer being accepted as the field is full. That should not deter those who wish to see the action as triathlons are great spectator events. Activities begin at 7:15 a.m. with a final briefing at 9:15 a.m. and the first wave of cyclists going off at 10:00 a.m. For more information go to www.oymp.net or www.itcaevents.org .
At the Kinnelon High School on Saturday, September 16th the Kinnelon-Butler Optimist Club is hosting a 5K Run for Darren. Nearly all races are organized for a charitable cause, but some are more compelling than others. In 2004 Darren Templeton of Kinnelon dove into shallow waters while at the Jersey Shore with his family. The young man has undergone extensive rehabilitation and along with increased strength in his upper body and trunk he has begun to feel some movement in his legs.
He is determined to walk again but the costs of training and equipment needed to support his program are expensive and not covered by traditional insurance. The Run for Darren will help in raising funds to help offset the costs associated with his therapy. More information can be found at www.darrentempleton.com
Originally published in the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, September 10, 2006
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2006
