published Atlantic Highlands Herald 23 June 2005

PRESS RELEASE

RED BANK, NJ – 28-year-old Kenyan runner Isaac Arusei won the 2005 George Sheehan Classic 5-mile run with a time of 23:50. Arusei, who trains in West Chester, Pa., was followed by second-place finisher Ronald Mogaka, 27, also from Kenya, who finished just 2 seconds back in 23:52. 27-year-old Nelson Njeru, Kenya, finished third in 23:54.

Kenyan Eunice Chepkirui, 21, was the first female finisher with a time of 27:28. Alemtsehay Misganaw, 22, an Ethiopian who resides in New York, finished in 27:35 to place second and Anastasia N'Dereba, Kenya, 30, finished third with a time of 28:11.

Nearly 2,500 athletes participated in the Sheehan Classic, a two-day event held June 17-18 that included a kids' race, a two-mile health walk and the five-mile run.

"We moved the race in 2004 from its usual August date, hoping that we would have cooler weather," said race director Philip Hinck. "Although the weather was unusually hot and humid last year, the cool temperatures this year provided ideal running conditions. We had a very successful race, thanks to our sponsors and to the hard work of countless volunteers."

The George Sheehan Classic began in 1981 as the Asbury Park 10K Classic and quickly became one of the major road running events on the national calendar. The race moved to Red Bank in 1994 and was renamed to honor the memory of Dr. George Sheehan, the prominent author, philosopher and area physician. "The Doc" has been called the "father of the running boom" in the United States.

In asking George Sheehan, III, what his father would think of today's perfect road-racing weather after he had just finished registering at Marine Park in Red Bank for the upcoming early morning race, The George Sheehan Classic, which is dedicated to his late father, a cardiologist, and who is affectionately known as the "Running Doc," Sheehan thought for a moment and confidently said, "Optimal - no excuses!"

To the uninitiated in the running world it might take a few paragraphs to explain what that comment means but to all who had the good fortune to personally know the "Running Doc" they will know exactly what it means, and will be accompanied, no doubt, by a smile or even a chuckle as it did of the creator of the comment.

The top male finishers from New Jersey were Bill Hoffman, 24, from Eatontown, who finished sixth overall, in 25:41, followed by Rob DeFilippis, 33, Tinton Falls, and James McGovern, 27, Navesink.

Jenna Darcy, 22, Medford Lakes, who just finished college at La Salle, was the top female finisher from New Jersey, finishing fourth overall in 28:52, followed by Cheri Kenah, 34, Wall, and Diane Petruzelli, 37, Lincroft.

Eric Escorcia, 35, and Maureen Massell, 37 were the top finishers from Red Bank. The top male and female from Fair Haven were Adam Sharkey,18, and Leslie Curran, 40. Little Silver's top male and female were Jim O'Hern, 41, and Bayley Seton Davis, 36.

Complete race results can be found on the web at www.sheehanclassic.org.

The George Sheehan Classic was named one of the Top 100 Road Races by Runner's World magazine, and the Best Memorial Race in New Jersey by the New York Times. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank sponsor the Sheehan Classic. Other sponsors include: Wachovia Bank, Wachovia Securities, New Jersey Natural Gas Company and Straub Motors/Lincoln-Mercury.

The race is part of the Meridian Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, a series of races that offers prize money to overall winners and age group category winners The five 2005 events are: Spring Lake 5, George Sheehan Classic, Belmar 5, Asbury Park 5K & Pier Village 5K.