Indoor Track racing at Bennett in Toms River on the 16th

Published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey

On Sunday, February 2, 2014

Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2014

INDOOR TRACK AT BENNETT IN TOMS RIVER

Has this been the worst winter for running that we have ever seen?  A lot of people do go out when it’s only ten degrees outside but many say there is a limit to dedication.

So where would you rather run?  Indoors or out in the cold?   If you are one of the fortunate few you may have access to an indoor facility.  They exist but most are off limits to the unconnected runner. 

Come in out of the cold on Sunday, February 16th.  That’s the date of the USA New Jersey open and masters men and women’s indoor Track & Field Championship.  This year the meet is being held at the Bennett indoor athletic complex in Tom’s River.

Several events are doable for a long distance runner type.  The longest event is the 3,000 meters, which is 15 laps around the track.   Yes, that can seem endless.  How about 1,500 meters?  That is just seven and a half laps and the 800 meters is just four laps.  How easy is that?

In 2013 some local road runners did switch to track and some did very well.  Roger Price of Randolph won the M60 division of the 3,000 meters with a time of 11:07.83 and Randy Miller of Montville place third in the M50 in 11:25.85.  Mike Karr of Boonton won his M55 division in 11:45.78.

In the 1,500 meter run Gary Rosenberg of Morristown won the M40 division in 4:27:38.  Peter Kashulines of Mountain Lakes won the M45 division 800 meters in 2:12.32.

OUT DOOR RACING AT PASSAIC COUNTY AND AT SOUTH MOUNTAIN RESERVATION.

If you are not convinced that you want to do 200 laps indoors there are a few outdoor options for you.  The Passiac County Runners Club had to cancel their first of four events of their winter series due to weather and road conditions.  They hold the 5K’s at the Passiac County Technical Institute in Wayne every two weeks.  This is a low key race with an interesting up and down and around course.  Registration and post race activities are indoors so you only need be out in the cold during your race.

Because of the cancelled race on January 26^th, runners now will be scored in their best two out of three possible races.  The next is coming up on Sunday, February 9^th, then on the 23^rd and the finale on March 9^th.  All races start at an easy to make 11:00 a.m.

For those who eschew both indoor track and road racing, the New Jersey Trail Series is for you.  The Febapple will take place on Saturday, February 22^nd at South Mountain Reservation.  Each loop in the reservation is ten miles and runners can stop with one or just keep on going. Actually it is not that simple, runners must register in the distance that they are planning to run.   The divisions are ten miles, twenty miles, 50 kilometer or 50 miles.

WATCH IT ON TELEVISION

For those who want to watch some fast track racing there are three events coming up in February that will be televised.  The first is the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix meet in Boston on the 8^th.    Galen Rupp is going to go after the indoor mile record at that meet.

The Millrose Games coverage will be on February 15^th.  High school sensation Mary Cain has switched from the 800 meters to the mile at Millrose.   On the 22^nd and 23^rd will be the USA open Track and Field championship from Albuquerque NM. 

##

Race Results can often be found at www.compuscore.com or at  www.bestrace.com 

A calendar of USATF sanctioned events can be found at www.usatfnj.org or at www.raceforum.com for running and tri and biathlon events.

Contact Madeline Bost at madelinebost@verizon.net.