published Atlantic Highlands Herald 15 September 2005

PRESS RELEASE

LONG BRANCH, NJ - Bill Hoffman, 25, of Eatontown and Cheri Kenah, 34, of Wall are the overall men's and women's winners in the 2005 Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix Running Series.

Hoffman, the 2004 Golden Grand Prix Champion, who starred at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, repeats to win the open men’s division in the series with 482 accumulated points, followed by Rick Pingitore, 46, Fair Lawn, in second place with 426 points. Joe Pawlish of Asbury Park, Jay McGovern of Atlantic Highlands, and Richard Henderson of Philadelphia fill the remaining top five spots.

Kenah, Meehan, Liposky, Hale

Kenah’s win at the Pier Village 5K on Labor Day added 100 points to her total, allowing her to finish the series with 491 points. Martha Liposky, Franklin Park, 33, follows Kenah with 395 points to finish second place. Irene Hale, Spring Lake, third place, Patty Andersen Parrado, Weehawken, fourth place and KC Meehan, Brick round out the top women's standings.

Hoffman, Pingitore, McGovern, Henderson, Pawlish

Winners for their respective age groups are Tom Yakowenko, 36, Edison; Matthew Jacobson, 42, Marlboro; Rick Pingitore, 46, Fair Lawn; Richard Henderson, 53, Philadelphia; Patrick Cavanaugh, 58, Colts Neck; William Palese, 61, Mt. Holly; James Leitz, 65, Bayonne; Joseph La Bruno, 73, Bayonne; and Clarence Lurch, 84, Wall.

Womens’ age group champions are Patty Andersen Parrado, 37, Weehawken, Carolyn Fisher, 41, Bayonne, Nancy Thorne, 46, Long Branch; Jan Farnung Krause, 50, Dunnellen; Betty Shonts, 56, Bradley Beach; Marilyn Ryder, 64, Long Branch; Gloria Jenkins, 67, Mt Holly; and Elizabeth Thomas, 72, Lincoln Park.

The series began on Memorial Day Weekend with the 9,000 person Spring Lake 5, followed by the Sheehan Classic in Red Bank, the Belmar 5 Mile Run, and two 2nd year races, the Asbury Park 5K, held on August 13th, and the Pier Village 5K in Long Branch on Labor Day Monday, September 5th.

Organizers and sponsors hope to inspire runners of all abilities to participate in the Golden Grand Prix events. Organized by shore area running enthusiasts, Tim McLoone and Phil Hinck, “The hope is that the Golden Grand Prix will inspire front runners, middle of the packers, and also beginners to participate annually in the shore events, contributing to an already great legacy of great shore running.” To that end, there is open and age group prize money the Golden Grand Prix events. In addition Golden Grand Prix Series Points are awarded according to finishing place for each of the 5 races with prize money being awarded at series end, to the top finishers in the open division as well as 5 year age groups for competitors 35 years of age and older.

Runners who completed all 5 Golden Grand Prix races received a commemorative glass at the final race in Long Branch on Labor Day and were entered in a special drawing for prizes. Kelly Conneen, Point Pleasant, won the Grand Prize, a flat TV/DVD combination.

For complete Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix results go to www.jsgrandprix.com or call (732) 571-2162.