GARDEN STATE TRACK CLUB STOMPED THE COMPETITION AT THE STOMP THE MONSTER

Written by Madeline Bost

Originally Published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey
On Sunday, April 15, 2012
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2012

At last Sunday’s USATF New Jersey open men’s championship 5K, the Stomp the Monster in Marlboro, the Garden State Track Club took first, second and fourth in the team competition.  Their first place team was timed in 1:22.25 for their first five men.  Their second place team needed only six seconds to tie as their time was 1:22.31.  The Raritan Valley Road Runners team was third and the Do Run Runners were fifth.  The Sneaker Factory was the only other local team to place in the top eight.  In all fifteen teams competed, representing eight clubs.  Just over 900 runners finished the race.

The race was won by Craig Segal of Highlands in 15:12 with Jeff Perrella of Westfield second in 15:15.  Youssef Rochdi of Morris Plains was third in 15:19.  With only a week’s recovery from the Boston Marathon, Michael Dixon of Fanwood finished fourth in 15:23.

Nine men finished in under sixteen minutes and a total of seventeen finished in under 17 minutes.

On the women’s side, Elena Rozhko of Morristown was a decisive first in 17:38.  Second place was taken by Katie Van Horn of Glenora in 18:04.  Catherine Smith of Wayne was third in 18:37.

At the Unite Half Marathon the same day at Rutgers, Thomas Poland of Morristown took second in 1:08:38, beaten by Washington DC runner Demesse Tefera in 1:07:44.  Jacob Edwards of Montclair gave Poland the race he wanted in a close third in 1:08:41.  On the women’s side Hirut Mandefro of DC was first in 1:19:39.   A field of 2,667 runners finished the race.  In addition over 500 runners finished the 8K race.

Ryan Grote of Morristown won the Miles for Matheny 5K in Peapack in 15:34.  Placing second to the thirty-seven year old Grote was thirteen year old Christopher Sisto of Bernardsville who finished in 17:41.

A tight race on the women’s side ended with Laura Quintana of Bedminster winning a sprint to the tape with Zoe Wojtech of Far Hills by only a lean, 20:18.28 to 20:18.44.  Both girls, 16, compete for Bernards High School.

Next Sunday, May 6^th, both open men and open women will be competing at the next USATF New Jersey championship; the Our House 5 Miler in Summit.  It has a one o’clock start time and all activities are centered on the Green at Summit and Broad Streets.

Open runners will be competing for prize money beginning at $250.00 for first and descending down five places.  In addition the open teams will win $125.00 for first, $75.00 for second and $50.00 for third.

The Our House is an OYMP event with five year age divisions, mile clocks on the course, which is a mix of rolling to hilly sections.

At the South Mountain Reservation the same day over five thousand people are expected to participate in the Susan B Komen Race for the Cure 5K, a very different kind of event than the competitive Our House race.