JUNE HAS A FULL LINE-UP
The first weekend of June kicked off a full line-up of local races, beginning with the Rockaway Rotary 5K this past Saturday. The Rotary merged their Summer Blast with the Pamela Miller memorial run and returned to a Saturday morning instead of the night race that was taking place in July. This seems to be a good fit for both causes as the race drew over three hundred finishers. John Sabatino of Morris Plains was the first finisher, crossing the line in 17:44. Jennifer Malavolta of Reeders PA finished in 19:14 for first woman overall.
Lewis Morris Park was the site of the spring edition of the Morris Mauler 5K on Sunday. Over 100 runners, a record for the spring run, completed the challenging double loop that includes one gut busting hill and a wicked staircase. PR’s are never set, but Race Director Dave Hoch does reward those who can improve on previous Mauler times. Scott Roman of Monroe Township was first in 19:19 with Jenna Kalwa of Pennington the first woman in 23:02.
This past Monday the Merry Heart Community Benefit 5K also had a record number of finishers, topping out at 665. Matt Lusardi of Washington Township finished in 16:26 to win, with Jeanne Pare, of Mendham the first woman in 19:12.
The Merry Heart race has established a loyal following among township residents as well as attracting competitive runners. Its niche might be the team competition with over fifty teams entered with the largest group the family teams numbering over two dozen.
Foster Wheeler won the male corporate division with ADP taking the female side and Picatinny heading the coed division.
Both the male and female divisions were won by the Morris County Striders with Team Sikora of Succasunna besting the coed teams.
Coming up next Monday, June 11 is the 5,000 Strides 5K, at Ginty Field in Morris Township. The race, which starts at 7:15 p.m., uses the same course as the Lawyers for Kids 5K that takes place on July 12th. Run in both and you are eligible for a random drawing for cash, and it is big cash - $500.00, $200.00 and $100.00.
The course is challenging - those who ran the St. Paddy’s 5K in March had a taste of it - as that race also utilizes the course. It has a fierce climb at two miles with a corresponding great downhill to the finish.
An 8:30 a.m. is the feature for the Saturday June 16th Florham Park Jaycees 5K and for the William and Teresa Wright Memorial 5K at Randolph High School on the same day. Similarities end with the start time. In 2006 the Jaycees race had 397 finishers with just 99 who finished in under 30 minutes. In contrast, the Randolph race had 330 finishers but 240 finished in under 30 minutes. If you are looking for a competitive race next Saturday best to head to Randolph.
While not in Morris, the President’s Cup Night Race 5K in Millburn on Monday night, June 18th will have plenty of local runners who will flock for this most competitive of New Jersey 5Ks. The start time of 8:00 p.m. is in keeping with the night race appellation. It is the USATF-NJ Open Men’s Championship and will draw well over one thousand runners. The Samuel Adams beer after the race doesn’t hurt when attracting runners either.
Although it is also outside of the Morris area, another night race deserves a little attention. The 5,000 Meter Lager Run in Montclair on Sunday, June 24th also features cold beer after the race, which starts at 5:30 p.m.
Another out of area race but one that many Morris runners will not miss is the Sunset Classic 5 Mile in Bloomfield on Thursday, June 28th at 7:30 p.m. Although it too once served free beer to runners, the taps are now dry, but that doesn’t keep too many people away.
The end of June means that the Fourth of July is just around the corner and Montville will get the jump on the holiday with its Firecracker 5K on Saturday, June 30th at 8:00 a.m.
CHECK THEM OUT
For a detailed look at what each of the listed races offer, the race application is the best source of information. The USATF-NJ website has a calendar listing of all sanctioned races and very often the application can be downloaded from the listing. Race scoring companies also list the races that they will be scoring and they will have a downloadable application.
A great resource is the Metro Race Forum magazines that are distributed at races. The Forum prints many of the race applications as well as printing a race calendar for road races, tri-athlons, bi-athlons and swim events.
Originally published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, June 10, 2007
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2007
