Written by Madeline Bost
Originally Published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey
On Sunday, November 25, 2012
On Sunday, November 25, 2012
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2012
Well what would you expect with the weather sunny, bright and wind free? Record numbers of runners for this year’s Thanksgiving Day races. The Flemington Turkey Trot grew by another 29 runners to 4,203 to top the races. The Dick Meighan Memorial in Saddle River increased by 143 to 2,257 and the Morris Township race grew by another 128 to finish with 2,257 runners.
At the Horace Ashenfelter 8 kilometer in Glen Ridge, the race drew 2,551 finishers, up by 67 runners. It was won by John Thou of Patterson in 24:04. The 8 kilometer was both the masters men and masters women USATF championship and the most outstanding performance was by William Zink of Wyckoff whose 28:15 at age 52 graded at 87.21%. On the women’s side Jane Parks, 59, of Morristown finished in 35:25 for a score of 87.75%.
The USATF teams turned out in what could be record numbers. On the men’s side the M40 division had 15 teams with the Morris area Sneaker Factory taking the top spot. The Do Run Runners, also a local club, took third.
In the M50 division the race was won by the Shore Athletic Club. The Shore club also won the M60 division. Eleven men’s teams entered the M50 division and the M60 division.
Running on home turf the North Jersey Masters club scored in several divisions as did the neighboring team, the Fleet Feet Essex club. That club placed first in the W40 division, with the Morristown based Garmin team second and the Sneaker Factory third. Eighteen teams competed in the W40 division and 14 in the W50. Only three women are required in Masters team competition.
In the W50 division the Sneaker Factory team was first and the North Jersey Masters second with the Morris County Striders taking third. The Madison based Rose City Runners were first in the W60 division while the Morris County Striders fielded a W70 team to take first once again in that division.
According to my unofficial calculations the always mighty Raritan Valley Road Runners brought in 17 more points to solidify their lead at 378 points and the Clifton Road Runners brought in 24 points to stay in second with 330 points. Third and Fourth place changed with the Shore Athletic Club bringing in the highest number of points from the race at 32 to total 295 for the season. The Garden State Athletic Club is in fifth with 293.
The next championship race and the final of the season is the Grand Finale Ten Miler on December 9th in Mercer County Park will be the championship for all divisions and give the younger teams a chance to bring in points for the final count.
DOVER RENAISSANCE NOW THIS SATURDAY
Talk about bad luck. In 2010 the Dover Renaissance 5K could not take place due to road construction on the route. In 2011 the Halloween snow storm kicked the Great Swamp Devil to the same weekend as the Dover race and people had to choose one over the other.
This year the race was scheduled for Saturday November 3rd and we all know what happened when Hurricane Sandy shut down a good part of New Jersey. Bruised and battered the race is now on the schedule for this Saturday, December 1st. It is one of the last remaining chances for runners to better their score in the New Balance Grand Prix. Race registration and the start and finish are at the corner of Blackwell and Prospects Streets in front of the Casa Di Puerto Rico Club.
Runners are directed to park in the public lot on Prospect Street and not at the club lot or on Blackwell Street. The race starts at 9:00 a.m.
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