WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ —  A field of 236 road racers competed in the inaugural Michael W. Thorne Scholarship 4 Mile Run in West Long Branch on Sunday, May 18 - a weather-perfect morning - on a course that started and finished on Lakeview Avenue adjacent to Franklin Park. The Evarts of Middletown, both Geoffrey and Jill were the winners of the male and female divisions, Geoffrey at 22:30 (22 minutes and 30 seconds) and Jill at 24:43, good for 6th place overall.

"I'm more of a track runner than I am a road-race runner so I'm satisfied ," said the overall champion when asked to comment on his racing time. His wife, in describing the course offered that she liked it a lot because, "It was flat," and she emphasized "flat." Jill Evarts was Jill Duthie in the early 1980's while performing on the Raritan High School track team, in Hazlet, but recalls her best time ever for a 5K was 16:56 while at Rutgers University.

Frank Pucher of Morristown at 22:37 was second overall followed by West Long Branch's own Gary Wersinger at 23:06. "We were together most of the way but he (Geoffrey) pulled away about the 3 mile mark," said Pucher in describing his runner-up position. "I think it was a great event - it was for a worthy cause - and I think this is what we need," he also offered. "It was fabulous - nice and flat and a lot of interesting turns, and it was well marshalled," said Pucher in describing the course.

Twelve-year old Ali Houlis of West Long Branch was the women's runner up at 28:15, 20th place overall, and Heather Paterson, East Brunswick, at 28:45 was the third woman and 26th overall.

The 4-mile course meandered through borough streets and was deliberately designed to include Fairway Avenue that borders Michael Thorne Park that was dedicated to the event's designee.

A brochure of the race informs: "On July 3, 1984, at the age of 20, while working as a volunteer Fireman for the Borough of West Long Branch, Fire Co. #2, Michael W. Thorne paid the supreme sacrifice...his life. A scholarship exists in Michael's memory. 100% of the proceeds from this race will go directly to fund the Scholarship." The recipient will be a Shore Regional High School graduate who plans to pursue a goal of public service, noted Nancy (Thorne) Parnell, Michael's sister and event's co-director.

The mayor of Long Branch, Adam Schneider, a veteran runner on the Shore area racing scene, competed today and finished at 34:56. "It's a nice course - it goes through a great little town, not as great as Long Branch, of course (humorously offered), nevertheless a nice town." The mayor said he plans on returning every year for such a worthy cause. Schneider also ran in the Sgt. Pat's 5k in Long Branch a few weeks ago which was for the memory and scholarship fund of a Long Branch policeman who was killed while on duty.

Oceanport's Steve Foley, director of the popular Run Thru Deal presented yearly in October, finished at 28:47. "It's beautiful - it's all through a residential area - through quiet streets where the traffic is blocked off - volunteers were great because they directed people where they were supposed to go," offered Foley when asked about the course.

Co-director Parnell finished at 29:31, good for 37th overall, and first in her age group. "I am elated and thrilled because of the overwhelming response," said Parnell, when asked her general, immediate thoughts. (In an earlier discussion she had pointed out that because this is an initial event she would be satisfied had she received about 100 to respond). "It's great because it's very scenic and there is just one small hill, the rest is all flat," she offered in describing the course.

Joseph Mirarchi, Eatontown, and also co-director finished at 31:43. "This was my personal best time and what a time to do it," said Mirarchi obviously very pleased with his performance at this very special race.

Just prior to the 9 a.m. start, West Long Branch Mayor Paul Zambrano thanked the assembled racers for coming and introduced Susan Rymer of Long Branch who gave her rendition of the Star Spangled Banner while standing next to the flagpole located in the center of Franklin Park with flag in full display. Al Thorne, father of Michael, and retired police chief of the borough, was then introduced as official starter. Thorne thanked all for participating and then very appropriately said, "Let's get this show on the road," and then gave the usual three-command start.

Franklin Park was the staging area and the gazebo of the Park is where the trophies were awarded. The design of the race's trophies is based on the isignia of the new fire truck recently purchased by the West Long Branch Fire Company #2 that is dedicated to Thorne. The wording on the trophy which has his badge #332 reads: "Michael William Thorne July 3, 1984, paid the supreme sacrifice." The above winners and age group leaders received these trophies that were presented by the race directors assisted by councilman William Desinger. Many random prizes were also offered due to the generosity of the business community. Food and beverages were donated by Shop Rite West Long Branch, Shore Point Distributors, and Super Foodtown West End.

The event included a leisure walk and also kids' races that were organized by Patty (Thorne) Zimmerman, Nancy's sister. Tom Schaeffer of the New Jersey Road Runners Club did the computer results. Art Castellano, officer of the NJRRC, assisted at finish-line activities. Sound equipment and music was provided by D.J. E.Z. Does It. The names of the sponsors, too numerous to list here, were presented in a brochure for the racers to take with them.

"I want to thank all the volunteers, the West Long Branch Fire Department, the First Aid Squad, the Police Department for efficient traffic control, and also for the cooperation of Mayor Zambrano and town council," said a very pleased Nancy Parnell who was also speaking for her co-director Joseph Miararchi.

Mayor Zambrano offered these comments: "Im very happy with the turnout - the Thorne family is a wonderful family in town and Michael Thorne gave his life in line of duty and I'm sure he's looking down on us today and is very proud."

Other area finishers of the dedicated race:
Richard Bayer 26:44, Fair Haven; Stuart Alderoty 29:08, Rumson; Don Hintze 29:13, Red Bank; Martin Dugan 30:08, Middletown; Joanne Wilkes 32:16, Red Bank; Amy Jane Avellino 33:07, Middletown; Glen Mannino 34:01, Little Silver; Bill Delehanty 35:58, Monmouth Beach; Janice Stapley 41:06, Fair Haven; Peter Mauro 41:25, Monmouth Beach; Hugh McCaffrey 41:29, Red Bank; Jessica Bryson 46:36, Highlands; Betsy Kowal 1:00:30 and Steven Kowal 1:00:31, Leonardo; Melissa Bahrs 1:01:12, Monmouth Beach; Jeff Lantz 1:04:25 and Cindy Lantz 1:04:26, Red Bank; Susan Doctorian Kyril 1:04:42, Middletown; Carla DAcierno 1:05:36, Monmouth Beach.

Road racers have Avon Day 5K on Saturday, May 31, at 8 a.m. info call 732-502-4519. On Friday, June 6, it's the The Beach Run for Clean Water in Long Branch at Seven President's Oceanfront Park at 7 p.m. info call 732-542-6090. The annual Fear the Pier 5K is on Saturday, June 7, at the Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo Rte. 36 at 9 a.m. info call 732-866-1089.