FARC celebrates 20th year of Summer Racing Series
Series that began in 1983 still going strong at Battlefield State Park
By tim morris
Staff Writer

VERONICA YANKOWSKI Ralph Garfield crosses the finish line at the Freehold Area Racing Club’s 20th anniversary race at Monmouth Battlefield Park on July 17.

The winner of the Freehold Area Running Club’s Summer Race Series July 17 was the series itself. More than 100 runners helped the club celebrate the 20th year of the event, which makes it the longest continually running race event in western Monmouth County.

Sixty-six runners finished the 5K race within the park that opening night, July 13, 1983, at Battlefield State Park, Manalapan. Two former Manalapan High School stars stamped their names on the event immediately as the first-ever winners. Jim Casey ripped off a 15:33 in winning that inaugural race, while Jeanmarie Jacoby topped the women with her 19:05. Two years after running his 15:33, Casey would lower the series record to the still standing time of eye-popping 15:03.

Helping to kick-off the Summer Race Series that opening night 20 years ago was Manalapan’s Ralph Garfield. As he has for most of the 151 races that have taken place since, Garfield was there to celebrate the 20th year. He was the only runner from that opening night to participate in the 20th anniversary race.

Garfield, who has run in just about every race in the Shore as well as the New York City Marathon, noted that he is not surprised at the durability of the summer series. He pointed to the emphasis placed on exercise in the last two decades as one factor, but that series has much, much more going for it.

VERONICA YANKOWSKI Gabrielle Galanti, 8, of Howell and Scott Kneisler, 10, lead the pack in the children’s 25-yard race at Battlefield State Park in Manalapan on July 17.

"It has great camaraderie," he said. "In low-key races like this people all know each other. Everyone is cheered to the last man.

"This is the only race of its kind that gives awards to the first three finishers in all the age groups," he added.

The park itself, according to Garfield, is a big reason for the event’s success.

"It’s the most under-used park in all of Monmouth County," noted Garfield. "It has great facilities and parking. The course is tough but fair."

VERONICA YANKOWSKI Dana Dwyer, 6, of Freehold Township adheres her ribbon to her forehead after participating in the children’s race at the Freehold Area Racing Club’s 20th anniversary event on July 17.

According to race director Bob Hyer, there has never been a time during the 20 years of racing that participation was so low as to contemplate canceling the series. In fact, only once in the 20 years of the series has a race been canceled — that was the night of Aug. 14, 1988 — when lightning did the trick.

High school and college runners, over the years, have used the series as a way of getting ready for the fall cross-country season. For road racers, it is an ideal way to stay in race fitness.

It’s also been a family race over the years. Old Bridge’s Vic Vientos introduced his family to running at the race series, and it was his son, Victor Vientos, who won the 20th anniversary race crossing finish line in 17:45. At the line, he was all by himself.

Lauren Rhatigan of Brant Beach was the runaway winner of the women’s race posting a 19:46.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series, the club turned back the clock by returning to the original course route within the park as much as it could. That meant running over the sandy paths in the park which slows runners down. Runners talked about how tough it was to run on the sandy paths, and it just added to the legacy of Casey’s course record 15:03 run over the sand.

In the racewalking division, Howell’s Ben Ottmer won for a second straight week in 34:14. Panse Geer of Hazlet was first among the women (38:31).

Age group winners among the men were: 12-and-under; 1. Richie Roman, Morganville (22:05), 2. Mark Kennis (40:40); 13-19, Eric Johnson, Freehold (19:42), 2. Chris Reed, Freehold (21:15), 3. John Sladewski, Morganville (21:15); 20-29, 1. Tom Brieva, Manalapan (19:33), 2. Greg Yaecker, Freehold (22:18); 30-39, 1. Brian Marley, Flemington (20:22), 2. George Samaris, Freehold (22:15), 3. Mike Kelhank, Toms River (23:02); 40-49, 1. Bill Winterbottom, Jackson (19:21), 2. Vic Vientos, Old Bridge (19:38), 3. Brian Roche, Freehold (19:41); 50-59, 1. Doug Brown, East Brunswick (19:110, 2. Frank Werner, Helmetta (22:40), 3. Tony Bleach, Cranbury (22:44); 60-69, 1. David Gross, Marlboro (23:09), 2. Ralph Garfield, Manalapan (23:10), 32. Gene Geer, Hazlet (31:11); and 70+, 1. Jim Robbins, Eatontown (32:09).

Women age group winners were: 12-and-under, 1. Rachel Morris, Marlboro (25:58), 2. Allison Schaang (37:18); 13-19, 1. Melissa Vientos, Old Bridge (23:15), 2. Erica Weitz, Marlboro (23:45), 3. Erin Coyne, Freehold (23:51); 20-29, 1. Liz Spector, Manalapan (24:15), 2. Maureen McCartney, Neptune City, (25:19), 3. Christen Gallin, Jackson (26:02); 30-39, 1. Deb Lurie, Marlboro (24:10), 2. Cindy Gorsky, Manalapan (24:29), 3. Dorothy Peterson, Manalapan (26:05); 40-49, 1. Sue Patla, Matawan (23:39), 2. Ginny Werner, Helmetta (24:59), 3. Linda Hyer, Marlboro (27:35).

The series was back to normal last Wednesday night with South River’s Dave DeMonico, the local "King of the Roads" winning in 16:29. Joe Ward of Spring Lake was third (17:19), and current Marlboro High star James Coomber was third (17:27).

Hightstown’s Megan Peterson, a winner already in the series this year, topped the women with a 19:34. Manalapan High School’s Laura Saffer was runner-up (21:16), and Becky Ostroski of East Brunswick (21:50), was third.

Jack Lach of Marlboro won the racewalking competition over Howell’s Ben Ottmer (27:43-32:10). Panse Geer of Hazlet was first among the women (37:20).

The male age group winners were: 13-19, 1. Coomber, 2. Brian Kayer, Wall (17:35), 3. Eric Johnson, Freehold (18:24); 20-29, 1. Ward, 2. Claro Mendoza, Freehold (19:59), 3. Greg Yaecker, Freehold (20:54); 30-39, 1. Brian Marley, Three Bridges (20:04), 2. Scott Baker, Jackson (20:45), 3. Robert Cavallo, Bayville (20:48); 40-49, 1. Bill Winterbottom, Jackson (18:49), 2. Mark Leary, Roselle Park (19:22), 3. Robert Schwartz, Manalapan (19:48); 50-59, 1. Tony Bleach, Cranbury (22:43), 2. Bob Roman, Morganville (22:53), 3. Marty Slutzky, Edison (24:17); 60-69, 1. Ralph Garfield, Manalapan (22:16);and 70+, 1. Jim Robbins, Eatontown (29:56).

Women’s age group winners were: 12-and-under: 1. Rachel Morris, Marlboro (22:36), 2. Alyssa Mayrose, Freehold (26:21), 3. Erin Cordiner, Freehold (29:08); 13-19, 1. Saffer, 2. Ostroski, 3. Erica Weitz, Marlboro (22:45); 20-29, 1. Sandy Tatarynw, Toms River (21:57), 2. Liz Spector, Manalapan (23:01), 3. Joan Sincoskie, Cream Ridge (23:06); 30-39, 1. Barbara Feinster, Morganville (22:33), 2. Karen Kelne, Robbinsville (22:59), 3. Dorothy Peterson, Manalapan (23:46); 40-49, 1. Robin Domanski, Manalapan (22:14), 2. Linda Ryan, Freehold (22:39), 3. Sue Patla, Matawan (22:51); 50-59, 1. Shirley Sullivan, Jackson (25:44).

The Summer Race Series continues tonight with the Predicted Time race. In this format, runners predict the time it will take them to complete the 5K course and the one who comes to their predicted time wins. That race starts at 6:50 p.m. preceded by Children’s Race at 6:10.

For more information on the race series or other FARC events, call the club hotline at (732) 431-2627 or the Web site at farcnj.com.