published Atlantic Highlands Herald 17 November 2005

by Jim Robbins

MATAWAN, NJ - Presented by the Jersey Shore Running Club (JSRC) and Rumson Hash House Harriers, 241 racers competed in the 26th annual running of the Hashathon, a rugged, tough, challenging, six-mile trail race through Cheesequake State Park, in Matawan, on a clear, low 60 degrees, good–racing–weather Sunday morning of November 13.

photos Bob Both, Jersey Shore Runners Club
An active field of Hashathon participants

Joe Pawlish, 33, Asbury Park, was first to break the finish-line tape held by Manasquan’s Diane Cheer and Joanne Dreicer of Middletown, both members of JSRC, from the course that starts and finishes adjacent to the main pavilion of the Park, and is described in the event’s circular as a “run through winding wooded trails, steep gullies, foot bridges, small streams, fallen trees, dramatic cedar forest & beautiful wetlands,” at a racing time of 38:45 (38 minutes and 45 seconds).

Joe Pawlish crosses the finish line

“Oh, it’s a great course – it’s my favorite kind of running,” said today’s champion in his initial comments. “I do a lot of mountain biking so this trail fits into my kind of atmosphere,” he added in explanation and of the weather he was direct: “Perfect, beautiful, you couldn’t ask for a better day!”

Lauren Rhatigan is women's champion

Brant Beach’s Lauren Rhatigan, 42, women’s champion of many Shore area races such as the annual Firecracker Five Mile Race staged in Wall Township on the Fourth of July or the Bradley Beach 5K presented yearly in mid August, was first in for the women today at 48:11 (20th place overall). “Great – loads of fun, just loads of fun!” Rhatighan said, when asked to share her thoughts on this event. “You never know what to expect – you literally got to be on your toes,” she said in describing the course.

Coming in second overall was Dominic Grillo, 31, of Somerset at 38:50 and third was Monmouth Beach’s Jason Gers, also 31, at 40:47.

Rounding out the top three for the women, respectively, were Laura DeMeo, 32, of Ocean at 50:10 (27th overall) and Princeton’s Isabella dela Haussage, 41, at 52:00 (39th overall).

“I like this race – it’s much more exciting than a road race,” said dela Haussage in commenting just after leaving the finish-line chute. “It keeps your mind occupied; it’s mental as well as physical,” she added. “It’s beautiful; you couldn’t get it any better!” she said of the weather.

Susan Ardito, Ocean, active member of the JSRC, finished at 59:41 and had this to say when asked to compare this event with more familiar road races: “Nothing’s the same – downed trees, mud and plenty of roots. But I love it because you got to watch what you’re doing – the whole six miles has your complete attention.” Her thoughts on the weather: “It’s perfect - nice temperature, no rain, and no wind.”

Also from Ocean was Bob Hayes 1:31:09 who accompanied his eleven-year-old granddaughter Chelsea 1:31:04. Both participate in many of the Shore area road races throughout the year and Bob said, “This event is as opposite as you can get from a road race - besides hills, rocks and mud you have to be ever on the watch for tree roots and the leaves cover them so you have to be extremely careful, there’s no time to relax.” Chelsea said, “It reminds me of the TV show, The Survivor!”

Marilyn Ryder, Long Branch, JSRC member, and mother-in-law and mother of Phil and Penny Hinck, race directors extraordinaire, finished at 1:22:57. “The paths on the course are very narrow. There are times when you cannot get by the person in front of you and the person behind you has the same trouble and that is annoying. Some of the boardwalks over the muddy places are also narrow,” Ryder informs but then concluded that, “The weather was fine, the race was fine and I had a great time.”

Spring Lake’s Walter MacGowan, president of the Shore Athletic Club (SAC), a regular leader in his age-group of 50-59 of road races was in at a respectable 56:24 but that time did not earn him an award this day. “It’s as different as English and American football,” he said in comparing the trail race with a road race indicating the name might be the same but the activity is completely different.

If trail racers heard a trumpet playing during their six-mile challenge it wasn’t because they were imagining it. That was Dave Demonico, champion of many area road races, who was playing at several spots along the course. It’s Demonico’s way of cheering and encouraging his many racing friends. Some tunes he chose were even of the Classics.

The event includes a 1 Mile (almost) Fun Run won by Cason Crane, 12, of Lawrenceville at 5:06, just beating out Megan Connelly, 12, of Holmdel who scored 5:07. Other award winners of this event: Jamie Hand, 12, Howell at 5:18; Paul Freda, 13, 5:24 and Vinnie Freda, 11, 5:35, Neptune; Kendal Hand, 11, 5:39, Howell.

The beneficiary of the event is Kevin Stover, a local youth who incurred a spinal cord injury in a skiing accident. Also Kent Sabin was on hand selling 50/50 tickets to aid Chuck Whalen, a former JSRC president who has a severe muscular disease.

The aforementioned winners and age-group leaders, along with special category recipients were given awards of ceramic tiles with vinyl skull & crossbones logo created by Tom Morrison, JSRC president, at the Pavilion by Phil Hinck, emcee, and race director Mark Griggs.

“I am very pleased with the 26th running of the Hashathon. We had a great turn-out (241 finishers & 23 finishers for the 1 mile fun run), beautiful weather and an overall great time. I want to thank volunteers from both the Jersey Shore Running Club and the Rumson Hash House Harriers. I find the staff at Cheesequake State Park to be gracious hosts, as are the operators of Town Square Liquors (location of our post race party). The rock band Goldenseal gave a stellar performance at the post race party (as they always do). Pizzas were provided by Attillio's Pizzeria. Thanks also go to the SAC and John Kuhi for the event’s timing clock; to Tommy Morrison for crafting the outstanding unique tile race awards; to Rick Valentine of Athlete's Image for the embroidered race clothing and to Van Sant Porta Potties for their necessary amenities. A special acknowledgement goes to Phil and Penny Hinck for their professional expertise. I hope that next year’s event can somehow manage to top this year’s event.” said Griggs in an E-mail summing-up message.

Other Monmouth County area leading finishers of this fun but very difficult challenge: Luciano Oliveira 43:32, West Long Branch; Bob Haithcock 44:28, Middletown; Erik Hendrickson 46:45, Howell; Jeff Marshall 47:24, Belford; Brian Burlew 47:26 and Victor Alfanzo 47:39, Freehold; Rich Roman 47:43, Morganville; Matt Miller 47:44, West Long Branch; James McMillan 47:54, Wall; Robert Porner 48:59, Matawan; Dennis Campbell 50:57, Lincroft; Lou Gelmer 51:28, Oakhurst; Patrick Applegate 51:32, Matawan; Mark Catalano 51:54, Jackson; Dianne Petach 52:16, Howell; Ray Viggiano 52:22, Rumson; George Panagos, Jr. 52:52, Lakewood; Nathalie O’Keefe 53:00, Highlands; Susan Lewicki 53:46, Matawan; Mark Molyneaux 54:52, Fair Haven; Scott Nelson 54:53, Howell; Micah Robinson 55:01, Lakewood; Paul Cicotti 55:21, Red Bank; Chris Perrone 55:33, Morganville; Ed Alburtus 55:35, Lake Como; Chris Dunford 55:47, Tinton Falls; Cannonball (muscle) Scanlon 56:14, Long Branch; Walter MacGowan 56:24, Spring Lake; Wilson Beebe 56:36, Rumson; T.J. O’Brien 57:37, Hazlet; John Hendrickson 57:58, Howell; David Gross 58:20, Marlboro; Irwin Sanchez 58:30, Freehold; Diesel McGrafe 58:42, Long Branch; Susan Ardito 59:41, Ocean; Walter Gajdzis 59:45, Matawan; Graham Wisdom 59:54, Lincroft; Bill Burke 59:57, Atl. Highlands; John Moetz 59:59, Manalapan; Fritz Hand 1:00:01, Howell; Frank Harczuk 1:00:08, Tinton Falls; Shannon Smith 1:00:33, Morganville; John Lanigan 1:00:56, Howell; Ani Plage 1:01:17 and Marty Plage 1:01:18, Holmdel; Robert Neugasi 1:01:56, Marlboro; Ed Connelly 1:02:00, Holmdel; Jan Levine 1:02:28, Ocean.

Racing continues with the Manasquan Turkey Trot 5 Mile on Nov.19 at 11 a.m., info call 732-223-9738. It’s the Navesink Challenge 15K and 5K on Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. in Middletown, info call 732-542-6090 or drzurheide@aol.com. On Dec.10 is the Jingle Bell Run 5K in Lake Como at 10 a.m., info call 732-288-4300 or kdrzik@arthritis.org. On Sunday, Dec. 11 is the Autumn’s End Trail Run in Middletown at 11 a.m., info call 732-578-1771 or evart2@comcast.net.