published Atlantic Highlands Herald 13 July 2006

by Jim Robbins

BELMAR, NJ — With the weatherman's offering of cloudy skies and a northeast breeze, 2375 road racers competed in the 30th annual, picturesque Belmar Five Mile Run (now designated as the Johnny Cobb Memorial Run) on the good-racing-weather morning of July 8. The event is presented by the Belmar Improvement Fund and Jersey Shore Running Club (JSRC) in cooperation with the Borough of Belmar.

photos by Bob Both, Jersey Shore Runners Club

At the scheduled 8:30 a.m. start, Phil Hinck, race director, introduced Brittany Hayward of Ocean Grove who sang our National Anthem. He then asked the assembled racers to look at the airplane flying directly above that had the SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance) banner attached which is the event’s main sponsor.

He then sounded the 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 Bill Karatz 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.

Solomon Too crosses the finish.

Solomon Too, 22, Kenya, presently of New Milford, was first to cross the finish line and immediately receive a medal that all finishers would receive at a racing time of 24:53 (24 minutes and 53 seconds). Coming in second or runner-up position was Bryan Skelly, 24, of Philadelphia at 24:55 followed by Ben Reynolds, 42, of Chatham 24:58; Ross Martinson, 28, Philadelphia 25:04 and Patrick Mellea, 20, of North Arlington 25:22. The top 5 males and females receive special awards.

“The first mile or three quarters maybe,” said today’s runner-up when asked if he were ever out in front. “Soon as we turned down the street (5th Avenue – the finishing half mile) I tried to catch him,” he further offered in describing his runner-up performance, but he just missed by two seconds. (Tim McLoone, announcer, was heard saying this is the closest finish he’s ever seen at this event.) Skelly informed that this was his best time ever for a five-mile distance. Today’s champion also informed that his best time for this distance was 24:14 in May of this year. Too also was the runner-up in the five-mile George Sheehan Classic presented last month in Red Bank at 24:54.

Clara Horowitz is the first woman to cross.

Clara Horowitz, 22, of Rumson was the women’s winner for the second year in a row and this year at a racing time of 27:12 (20th overall), thirty seconds faster than last year’s time, and she too received a medal but also a flower which all women would get. Philadelphia’s Renee Gunning, 26, at 27:46 (31st) was the second woman finisher followed by Heather Parks, 20, at 28:55 (47th) of Brucetown Mills,WV; Veena Reddy, 27, at 29:19 (54th) of Philadelphia and Abbi Gleeson, 25, at 29:41 (59th) of New York City.

“I think it’s flat and fast and a lot of fun and very picturesque,” said Horowitz when asked her thoughts on the course. “It was good, it was actually cool today,” she said of the weather.

Seven wheelchair competitors began their race two minutes prior to the main starting time and followed the same scenic course. Carlos Guzman, 58, of Corona, NY was today’s winner at 24:57 and women’s winner was Kaitlyn Willard of Havertown, PA, at 26:32.

Bill Winterbottom, Jackson, is president of the Ocean Running Club (ORC) and finished but did not record his time. “My performance is a little off from what I’m used to doing – I haven’t run in a race in a year,” Winterbottom informed. “The sun’s out; it wasn’t too hot; it was a fun day,” he said when asked to comment on the weather.

Walter MacGowan, Spring Lake, president of the Shore Athletic Club (SAC) finished at 36:40 and this was 17 seconds faster than Tuesday’s Firecracker Five race in Wall. “It was a beautiful day when you went into the headwind (the return north after Lake Como) – but going south was really hot,” he offered of the weather. “It’s flat, fast and no hard turns – and with the lakes and ocean it’s beautiful,” he said in regards to the course and he also likes the fact that it’s all raced in his Spring Lake neighborhood.

Both the ORC and SAC organize many racing events for the benefit of Shore area racers and the presidents of these running clubs, as well as other presidents of other running clubs, put in many hours to get things right. In December every year the ORC presents the Reindeer Romp in Point Pleasant and the SAC presents the Polar Bear Races in Asbury Park, just to name two events for example that these two presidents oversee.

Manasquan’s Diane Cheer, active member of the JSRC, had a racing time of 46:27 and was satisfied with this “in comparison with the Firecracker Five” (race in Wall Township on the 4th of July) where she scored 48:14. Cheer and her husband Jack, also a JSRC member, will co-direct in September the Brielle Hill and Dale 10K.

“I was not happy with my race performance today but I am still coming back from an injury in the fall,” said Nancy Thorne, Long Branch, employed at Meridian Occupational Health, of her 39:28 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.

Elliott Denman, West Long Branch, retired from the Asbury Park Press where he served as an award-winning sports columnist specializing in the Track and Field and Cross Country areas for many years, who competed in the Olympic games in 1956 as a racewalker, finished today in 1:04:27 and offered these comments: “It was a sensational race – lots of good competition at all levels, the elite people at the front then the middle and the back-of-the-pack people - and always a smiling face on every corner.”

Ocean Grove’s Tina Duda finished at 1:00:19 and was quick to say nice things about the course: “I love it – I’ve done this course for about six years now, and it’s a fun course with a lot of people out there encouraging you and you can’t beat it for scenery with the ocean and two lakes.” Duda can be seen at many Shore area races and is a member of the JSRC and serves as the circulation editor of the club’s popular newsletter: Footnotes.

Fifteen teams made up of five runners each that averaged their racing times also competed in this event and the Shore Athletic Club won with a 27:08.3 average. Team members and racing times were Joseph Pellegrino 26:51, Jay McGovern 27:25, David Demonico 28:03, Bob Horn 28:07 and David McGovern 28:25.

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 respectively by volunteers from the FARC, the New Jersey Natural Gas, Spring Lake Heights Soccer and Wall Township Soccer

Captain Rick Hines of the Belmar First Aid, reported that, “We treated thirteen people for heat problems, some upset stomachs, the usual leg cramps and ankle sprains but nothing major and generally speaking it was a great day.”

The SBLI No Nonsense Runner Award that recognizes individual and non-profit organizations who go above and beyond, was awarded to Nancy and Eugene Maupai, and in their absence, Jack Carroll, a friend, received it at a post-race party. The Maupais are long-time supporters of the Belmar Five and the Belmar Improvement Fund.

The Belmar Five is the third event of the SBLI Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, a series of races that offers prize money to overall winners and age-group category winners. The five 2006 events are: Spring Lake 5, George Sheehan Classic, Belmar 5, Asbury Park 5K & Pier Village 5K. Further information can be found on the series website, www.SBLIgrandprix.com

This annual event actually began on Friday evening, July 7, 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 150 youngsters ages 2 to 14 in distances 40 to 440 yards, organized by John MacGilivray, past NJ representative of the Road Runners Club of America, and director of Running 101, a beginners program of the JSRC. The children were greeted by Tweety Bird 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.

Scott Reinke, Brick Township, was congratulating his 2-year-old son Tyler who had just came in first on the 40-yard challenge and you could see the pride in his expression as he picked him up into his arms. “I think it’s great for the kids to get out here and run around and it’s a very well organized event, you can see they really know what they’re doing,” Reinke offered when asked his thoughts on the Kids’ Races. Ocean Grove’s Sara LeCroy had similar feelings as she was preparing to take 3 ½ -year-old daughter Corinne’s picture after she had run the 50-yard dash. “I think it’s fantastic, amazing, and I think it’s good for the kids to start at an early age,”said LeCroy.

Tim McLoone of Little Silver, today’s emcee, along with Emily Huff, Manasquan and Penny Hinck, Long Branch, 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, assisted by Kristen Rodriguez of Eliteracingsystems.com, Clifton, 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. I would also like to thank Belmar Public Works, the Belmar Fire Department 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 an annual scholarship in memory of Johnny Cobb for deserving St. Rose students," said Phil Hinck, race director, and past president of the Jersey Shore Running Club in his final comments.

The 2006 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, was a graduate and supporter of the St. Rose School system and promoted local sports all of his life.

Other area leading pre-registered finishers of the 5-mile scenic challenge: Scott Patterson 28:35, Belmar (43rd of 2375); Jeremy Pilkington 28:57, Allenhurst; Pat Ford 29:52, Neptune; Michael Tully 30:10, Belmar; Brian Washakowski 30:21, Ocean; Jonathan Erdeley 30:38, Bradley Beach; Karen Charles 31:00, Belmar; Gregory Augustino 31:17, Ocean Grove; Donald Griffin 31:27, Belmar; Beth Mayer 31:57, Bradley Beach; Richard Brugger Jr. 32:01, Neptune; Michael Badger 32:09, Ocean Grove; Kathleen Kropke 33:35, Avon; Edward Alburtus 33:38, Lake Como; Joy Dushey 34:02, Deal; Tim Mahoney 34:24, Belmar (director of 9/11 Memorial Run); Dominick Petrasino 34:35, Lake Como; John Paradise 35:05 and Carolyn Roarty 35:14, Interlaken; Stephen Spudic 35:48, Belmar; Mike Washakowski 36:17, Ocean; Jack O’Connell 36:39, Avon; Walter MacGowan 36:40, Spring Lake; Edward Bonder 36:44, Belmar; Cara Natoli 37:23, Belmar; Christopher Bostian 37:33 and John Gepp 37:34, Belmar; Louis Maiace 37:37, Susanne Grabowski 38:33 and Brian Rath 38:41, Neptune; Fiona Brabazon 38:51, Belmar; Randy Mauterer 38:59, Ocean; Bill King 39:00, Lake Como; John Elbrecht Jr. 39:02, Tinton Falls; Cristopher Cawley 39:08 and John Walsh 39:18, Belmar; Meghan Molinelli 39:24, Oakhurst; Carey Stevens 39:30, Lake Como; Colleen Ginty 39:34 and John McSweeney 39:38, Belmar; John Buckley 39:43, Lake Como; Ted Dude 39:50, Ocean Grove; Ed Zupkus 39:51, Ocean; Barry Zimmerman 40:12, Belmar; Joseph Pipitone 40:34, Belmar; Brian Mansfield 40:38, Neptune; Thomas Reilly 40:44, Belmar; Jennifer Castoro 40:52, Lake Como; Joseph Renzella 40:53, Neptune; Tom Fantana 41:04, Belmar; Dorothy Lurch 41:05, Avon; Cynthia Cama 41:06 and James Kaufman 41:32, Belmar; Thomas Rogasis 41:36, Ocean Grove; Joseph Toryk 41:50, Bradley Beach (786th of 2375).

Others: Robert Dennis 25:51, Little Silver (10th of 2375); Jeffrey Peterson 26:15, Rumson; Alex Fowlie 27:12, Middletown; Jay McGovern 27:25 and David McGovern 28:25, Atl. Highlands; Ryan McGrath 29:34, Red Bank; Brian Hill 30:45, Middletown; Ali Belicose 31:25, Red Bank; Joel Lizotte 33:16, Middletown; Tom Gillick 35:23, Belford; Jon Lemole 35:36, Atl. Highlands; Joseph Strempek 35:46, Brett Conway 36:16 and John Strang 36:50, Rumson; Douglas Lindgren 36:58, Fair Haven; Patrick Casey 37:09, Middletown; Christine Livingston 37:12, Little Silver; Al Smuda 37:25, Highlands; Michael Marrus 38:15, Rumson; Damon Giordano 38:26, Red Bank; Amanda Yaccarino 38:57, Rumson; Richard Pirozzi 39:00, Middletown; Frank Massa 39:01, Red Bank; Andrew Maclane 39:02, Middletown; Chris Meyer 39:05 and Danielle Giordano 39:24, Atl. Highlands; Frank Cornacchio 39:31, Belford; Harold Guild III 39:43, Red Bank; Rebecca Rothstein 39:44, Highlands; Beth McLaughlin 40:20, Middletown; Larry Altshuler 40:25, Monmouth Beach; Erin Simpson 40:27, Fair Haven; Regina Maclane 40:30, Middletown; Larry Murphy 40:33, Little Silver; Rob Moir 40:44, Fair Haven; Rita Lemole 40:49, Atl. Highlands; Rich Murphy 40:50, Fair Haven; Peter Visceglia 40:56, Peter Blum 41:08 and Jeffrey Metro 41:20, Red Bank; Brian Croak 41:37, Fair Haven; Brendan Rooney 41:45, Red Bank; Kathy Porzio 41:46, Middletown; Carol DeFazio 41:53, Little Silver; Rickie Lee DeMaio 41:57, Red Bank (803rd of 2375).

Road racing continues on July 15 at 10 a.m.with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation 5K in Lake Como, info call 732-786-9960 and on July 16 is the 5th annual JCC 5K Race/Walk on Grant Avenue in Deal at 9 a.m., info call 732-531-9100. It’s the Neptune City Day 5K on August 5 at 8 a.m., info call 732-776-7224 or marysapp@juno.com. Then the following day is the Sea Girt 5K at 8:30 a.m., info call 732-259-3655. On August 12 is the Asbury Park 5K at 8:30 a.m., info call 732-542-6090 and on August 19 is the annual Bradley Beach 5K at 8:30 a.m., info call 732-774-3492 or derheld@verizon.net.

Available too is a series of summer evening events: 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.