Jim Robbins

photos by Bob Both

After a delayed start, caused by a traffic incident on one of the streets of the course and our National Anthem being sung by the runners themselves (pretty good too) because the scheduled singer didn’t arrive, Phil Hinck, race director, finally sounded the starting horn and the racers dashed from their Second and Ocean Avenue starting line, just beyond the Shark River Bridge. They followed the lead vehicle driven by Ray Elms of the Belmar Beach Patrol and proceeded south on Ocean Avenue to and around Lake Como, returned to Ocean Avenue then northward and turned left on 6th Avenue, meandered through streets and residences around Silver Lake and finished at the digital clock, set up by Dan Brannen Associates of Morristown, on Fifth and Ocean Avenues.

Gubmessa Megerssa, 28, Bronx, NY, was first to cross the finish line and immediately receive a medal that all finishers would receive at a sizzling racing time of 23:28 (23 minutes and 28 seconds).  This was just two seconds slower than the record time set by Brent Barnhill in 1987. Deresse Deniboba, 24, New York City was second at 23:47 followed by Ezkyas Sisay, 18, Washington, D.C. at 23:48, Daniel Too, 30, New Milford at 24:01 and Genna Tufa, 23, Bronx at 24:07, all were born in Ethiopia which borders Kenya in Africa.

Aziza Aliyu, 21, New York City, was the women’s winner at 27:09 and she too got a medal but also a carnation flower which all women would get.  Coming in second was Atalelech Ketema, 24, followed by Harege Sidelil, 25, both Bronx (all three also Ethiopian born). Noel Brock, 29, Toms River (Spring Lake Five women’s winner) was the 4th place woman at 29:08 followed by Kelly Chin, 26, Brooklyn at 29:17. The top five males and females receive special awards.    

Seven wheelchair competitors began their race two minutes prior to the main starting time and followed the same scenic course. Jim Cuevas, 16, of Jersey City was the winner at 23:59.

“I improved my time by a minute over last year so I’m happy with that,” said Jeremy Pilkington, Toms River, whose 27:56 time earned him 2nd place award in the 25-29 age group and 34th place overall,  when asked to comment on his performance. “Oh yeah, it just seemed frustrating because there wasn’t anything we could do about it. It was an accident but it was disruptive to the race,” he said in reference to the 25-minute delay in starting the race. “The weather was pretty good, it got a little warm, but there was no wind at all,” he added and he stressed “no wind!”

Bill Winterbottom, Jackson, is past president of the Ocean Running Club and is satisfied with his racing time. “My goal was to get in under 32:30 and I did 32:15,” he informed.  “The course is a great course – it’s flat, near the water and the great competition keeps you going,” he added.  

“I was happy with my race performance today, not my best but it was OK,” said Nancy Thorne, Long Branch, employed at Meridian Occupational Health, of her 41:08 racing time. “I like the course very much, it’s fast and flat and scenic - next to the beach and takes in the two lakes - a lot of community support with people out on their lawns and porches cheering us on,” she added. Thorne will continue to direct next May in West Long Branch the Michael W. Thorne Scholarship 4-Mile Run in memory of her fireman brother who died in line of duty.

Belmar’s Tim Mahoney, recently retired from the New Jersey State Police, and an active member of the JSRC, loves racing in his hometown: “Tim Mahoney running in Belmar is like Mickey Mantle playing center field in the Yankee Stadium – they just fit,” Mahoney said when asked to share his thoughts on the Belmar Five. Although he didn’t get an award his racing time of  33:42, a 6:45 per-mile pace, earned him 10th place out of 185 in his 45-49 age group – he’s got to be proud of that. Mahoney serves the JSRC by directing its annual 9/11 Memorial Run presented on that infamous day at the Belmar/Spring Lake boardwalk at 6 p.m. He emphasizes that it’s a “run” (more like a jog) and not a “race”so as to encourage non-racers also to get involved.  

Fourteen teams made up of five runners each that averaged their racing times also competed in this event and the Fuizy won with a 25:20 average. Team members and racing times were Jeff Weiss 24:29,  Patrick Reagan 25:14,  Matt Bluman 25:34,  Iuri Pinto 26:05,  Eric Cooper 26:12.      

Four water spots were available at the mile-marker areas organized by Bob Hyer, past-president of the Freehold Area Running Club, and they were serviced by volunteers from W.L.Gore Associates, the New Jersey Natural Gas, Manasquan High School Key Club and local residents.

“We treated eight people for blisters, five for muscles and cramps and we had one heat problem and that was it,” said Rick Hines of the Belmar First Aid when asked if there were any emergency problems today.       

Fred Rummel, popular director of the Fourth of July Firecracker Five race in Wall Township, was here welcoming participants and giving directions to them as to where to get their race numbers and shirts over the loud-speaker system provided by Scott Edwards of WRAT-FM, Greater Media New Jersey.

The Savings Bank Life Insurance Company (SBLI) is a major sponsor and the Belmar Five is part of the SBLI Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, a series of five races that offers prize money to overall winners and age-group category winners. The other events are: Spring Lake Five, George Sheehan Classic, Asbury Park 5K, and the Pier Village 5K. Further information can be found on the series website, www.SBLIgrandprix.com

SBLI also offers a No Nonsense Award that recognizes individual and non-profit organizations who go above and beyond and this year the plaque was awarded to Chip Cavanaugh of Belmar. The plaque reads: SBLI salutes your dedication to the Borough of Belmar and your tireless contributions to the community, going above and beyond, to raise funds to make the community a better place to live and work. In your honor,we at SBLI are proud to make a donation to the Goodwill Hose Company of the Borough of Belmar Fire Department.

This annual event actually began on Friday evening, July 13, at the Silver Lake Park across from Taylor Pavilion, both of which served as the event’s staging areas. It included a Fitness Walk for adults, twice around the lake, and a series of Kids Races for nearly 300 youngsters, from ages 2 to14 years in racing distances of 40 yards to a half-mile, organized by members of the JSRC and Walter MacGowan president of the Shore Athletic Club. The children were greeted by a costumed Tiger, Mister Mouse and a clown and needless to say there were many exuberant, cheering parents, grandparents, siblings and friends present, making use of cameras to perpetuate the future Olympians’ activities.

The Porter family of Bradley Beach was here to enjoy the festivities in the persons of Lynn the grandmother, Joshua and Susie the parents of nearly three-year-old Giullia who had just finished the 40-yard dash.  “I think she was just great,” said Suzie when asked how she thought her daughter performed. “It’s a good idea to get the kids started at an early age,” offered Joshua when asked his thoughts on this event.  “I think it’s wonderful because I’m too tired to run the five-mile adult race tomorrow and this is a good excuse,” said Grandma Lynn.

Race Director Phil Hinck, along with Bill Huntley of Colts Neck, and Emily Huff, Belmar, awarded money, gift certificates and Belmar Five towels to the aforementioned winners and age-group leaders at the Huisman Gazebo located in the park adjacent to Silver Lake and across from Taylor Pavilion that served as the staging area. Fred and Anna Torres of Eliteracingsystems.com, Clifton, assisted by Sharon Chromey and students from the high schools of Clifton, Red Bank Catholic and Saint Rose, were the professional organizers of the computer results.

"I want to thank all our volunteers, especially the race committee, and the members of the Jersey Shore Running Club, and other area running clubs for their know-how efforts. I want to recognize the continued support of the Borough of Belmar and its residents, and acknowledge the patience of motorists who were detoured for the safety of the racers and the patience of the runners for the delayed start of the race. I would also like to thank Belmar Public Works, the Belmar Fire and First Aid Departments  and the Police Departments of Belmar and Lake Como.  I want to offer a special appreciation to my wife, Penny. Thanks to the many participants this year and financial support of all our sponsors - the success of the race will allow it to present donations to the Goodwill Hose Co and other beneficiaries," said Phil Hinck, race director, and past president of the Jersey Shore Running Club in his final comments.

The 2007 Belmar Five Mile Run is named in memory of long-time Belmar resident, Johnny Cobb. In addition to being an originator of the race, he had a 25-year career in the Belmar Police Department and was also a member of the Belmar Fire Department. He was a graduate and supporter of the St. Rose School system and promoted local sports all of his life.

Other event area leading finishers of the 5-mile scenic challenge:

Belmar:  Donald Griffin 30:55,  Karen Charles 30:59,  Bob Szymanski 34:48,  Kelly Roddy 35:07,  Matthew Doherty 35:40,  Lucas Netchert 35:48,  Cara Natoli 37:05,  Colleen Ginty 37:16,  Joe Barrace 37:35,  Jon Seidel 37:37,  Gerard Ferrara 37:39,  Billy Buchbinder 38:43,  Sean Mulcahy 38:51,  Thomas Talariso 38:56,  Michael O’Connell 39:23,  Patrick O’Malley 40:27,  Shawn Swingle 40:48,  Cynthia Cama 40:53,  Robert Johnson 41:03,  Thomas Bozza 41:04,  Jacquelyn Mulcahy 41:11.

Others:  Pat Ford 29:43 and Richard Brugger Jr. 31:12,  Neptune City;   Beth Mayer 31:37, Bradley Beach;   Michael Badger 31:49, Ocean Grove;   Scott Linnell 32:02, Deal;   Mike Mangan 32:03, Ocean Grove;   Ken Kropac 32:21, Lake Como;   Jason Watt 32:45, Neptune City;   Thomas Stoddary 33:03, West Belmar;   Timothy Murphy 33:16, Bradley Beach;   Kathleen Kropke 33:41, Avon;   Martin Fitzpatrick 33:50, Bradley Beach;   Dominick Petrosino 33:53, Lake Como;   Frank Gousman Jr. 34:40, Bradley Beach;   Alex Rosenblatt 34:54, Oakhurst;   Carl Williams 37:27, Tinton Falls;   James Hubert 37:32, Asbury Park;   Joseph Renzella 37:36, Neptune City;   Bill Ringer 37:41, Lake Como;   Lawrence Rosenblatt 38:00, Oakhurst;   Suzanne Ryan 38:02, Ocean Grove;   Bill Taylor 38:21 and Jeff Ragle 38:29, Ocean;   Brian Mansfield 38:44, Neptune;   Aaron Black 39:53, Bradley Beach;   Paul Marmora 39:59, Ocean;   Betty Shonts 40:16, Bradley Beach;   Blane Cordes 40:26, Avon;   Daniel Brady 40:30, Tinton Falls;   Joseph Toryk 40:40, Bradley Beach;   Bill Starkey 41:18, Tinton Falls.  

Herald area leaders:

Red Bank: Catherine Robbie 29:24,  Megan Guiney 29:58,  Joel Lizotte 33:03,  Eric Jacobsen 33:25,  Christopher Moriarty 34:23,  Tim Blankley 34:30,  Lou Rettino 35:51,  Brendan Rooney 36:10,  Martha Liposky 36:13,  Paul Dement 36:14,  Donald Hintze 36:30,  Rebecca Beirne 36:43.

Others: Jeffrey Peterson 25:18, Rumson;   Roberto Dennis 25:52, Little Silver;   Alex Fowlie 28:19, Belford;   Dylan Barlett 29:41, Little Silver;   Brian Hill 30:47, Middletown;   Jennifer Huesman 31:20, Fair Haven;   Jamie Liberti 31:32, Middletown;   Joe Cauvin 32:43 and Kiernan DeLaurier 33:06, Atl. Highlands;   Laura Deykerhoff  34:14 and Lindsey Hayes 34:16, Little Silver;   Kelly Woociehowski 34:43 and Tom Rodilosso 35:55, Fair Haven.   

Other Monmouth County leaders:  Craig Segal 25:20, Holmdel;   Suarez Martin 25:50, Long Branch;   Michael O’Flaherty 27:32, Freehold;   Luciano D’Oliveira 28:04, Long Branch;   Jeff Propert 28:59, Wall (2007 Firecracker Five champion);   Adam Nalven 29:18, Brick;   Cody O’Flaherty 29:21, Freehold;   Brian Decker 29:24, Brick;   Mike Chiricio 29:34, Long Branch;   Timothy Ragan 29:35, Manasquan;   Christopher Wilcox 30:23, Brielle;   Brian O’Dowd 30:43, Colts Neck;   Tom Falvey 30:44, Long Branch;   Matthew Schaad 30:45, Wall;   Christine Clifton 30:47, Long Branch;   Bob Miller 30:55, Spring Lake;   Michael O’Dowd 30:58, Colts Neck;   Rich Kenah 31:02 and Brian McGhee 31:10, Wall;   James Segal 31:13, Holmdel.   

Road racing continues with the JCC 5K Summer Classic on Grant Ave. in Deal on July 22 at 8:30 a.m. info call 732-531-9100 X 123.  It’s the Neptune City Day 5K on August 4 at 8 a.m., info call 732-776-7224 X 27 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Then the following day is the Sea Girt 5K at 8:30 a.m., info call 732-259-3655 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  On August 11 is the Asbury Park 5K at 8:30 a.m., info call 732-542-6090 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . and on August 18 is the annual Bradley Beach 5K at 8:30 a.m., info call 732-774-3492 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Down the road on September 8 is the Brielle Day Hill and Dale 10K at 9 a.m., info call 732-528-6600 X 100 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .   

Available too is a series of summer evening 5K races: Mondays in Long Branch at Lake Takanassee, Tuesdays in Toms River at Winding River Park, Wednesdays in Manalapan at Battlefield Park and Thursdays in Wall Township at the Municipal Complex and arriving at all between 5:45 and 6:15 p.m. would be on the mark.