ROSS AND SABATINO WIN MINI GRAND PRIX Diane Ross of Flanders was nearly tireless in the 2007 season, racking up points to the top spot in the New Balance Grand Prix as you read here last week. Ross made it a triple play with her wins in the Mini One and Mini Two grand prix. Each of the mini grand prix are subsets of the overall grand prix with emphasis on quantity as well as quality. Participants must complete nine races in the Mini One that ranges from 3K up to four miles. The Mini Two grand prix ranges from over four miles up to but not including 15K and participants must complete seven races. Races that count toward the overall New Balance Grand Prix also count in the tally of the subset grand prix. This can lead to multiple wins for runners who love to race. |
In an interesting twist on this phenomenon, second and third place in the overall women’s divisions in both Mini One and Mini Two were taken by Tara Zimliki of Somerville and Karyn Layton of Rockaway respectively.
Such was not the case on the men’s side. John Sabatino of Morris Plains focused on the Mini One grand prix with Mark Lorello of Budd Lake claiming second and Nick Paolazzi of Paramus third.
Lawrence Czaplewski of West Caldwell took the top spot in the Mini Two grand prix with David Huse of Princeton second and Charlie Slaughter of Parsippany third.
Slaughter topped the M50 division with Bill Trengove of Wharton second. These same men also placed in the Mini One with Will DeRoberts of Boonton first with Trengove second and Slaughter third in a repeat of their finish in the Overall New Balance Grand Prix.
Bruce Langenkamp of Wharton was second in the New Balance Grand Prix in the M55 division but claimed first in both of the Mini grand prix.
In the M35 division, Adam Hantman of Denville took first in the Mini Two grand prix and third in Mini One.
There were multiple top finishers on the women’s side as well. Pam Fales of Boonton was first in W45 in Mini One and second in Mini Two. Shirley Pettijohn of Chatham placed second in the W70 division in both of the Mini grand prix.
Other local runners who scored in the top three in their division of the Mini One grand prix include: Gregory Swiatocha of Hackettstown third in the 34 and under division, Richard Wilde of Denville third in M70, Julie Amsallen of Lake Hopatcong second in W40, Lorraine McPhillips of Basking Ridge first in W50 and Frances Libasci of Millington second in W55.
In the Mini Two grand prix: Ed Neighbour of Sparta third in M40, Robert McGill of Budd Lake third in M45, Vincent Madison first in M60 and Jane Parks of Morristown first in W50.
HOW MANY CAN YOU RUN?
One hundred and fifty two New Jersey races were part of the USATF –NJ grand prix series. To be considered a participant a runner need run in only three of those races. That won’t get you very high in the standings though. In most age divisions a runner has to complete all nine races to have a shot at placing in the top three.
If the runner wants to max out in the Mini One he needs nine races, but only six in addition to the three needed for the overall New Balance Grand Prix for a total of only twelve races for both grand prix. If he wants to go for the Mini Two, he needs to complete seven races in that distance category for an additional four races for a total of sixteen for the year.
If that sounds like a lot of races then consider Robert McGill of Budd Lake who ran in 59 grand prix races in 2007. McGill has some favorite Pennsylvania races that he does each year as well. Patricia O’Hanlon who is in the W60 division ran in 52 grand prix races in 2007 plus she fits in one or two marathons every year. If you need more inspiration look no further than seventy-three year old Shirley Pettijohn of Chatham. She competed in 37 grand prix races in 2007.
RAMONA’S RUN NEXT SATURDAY
Runners who like to be early birds have their chance next Saturday when they run in the Ramona’s Run four miler in Perth Amboy. It will be the first grand prix race of the 2008 season.
Originally published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, December 23, 2007
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2007
