Pellegrino, Vasconsellos win opening race of FARC Summer Race Series

A pair of Marlboro High School runners, one a former champion and the other a junior, were winners in the first event of the Freehold Area Running Club’s Summer Race Series held last Wednesday night at Battlefield State Park, Manalapan.

Joe Pellegrino, a former district cross country and track champion when he ran for Marlboro, showed that he still knows how to win when he ran off with the opening 5K race of the season in 17:07.

Andrea Vasconsellos, who will be a senior at Marlboro this fall, won the women’s race in 21:48.

Ben Ottmer was first in the racewalking competition (32:09).

Age group winners for the men were: 19-and-under, 1. Martin Majewski (22:49), 2. Justin Giove (26:09) and 3. Joseph D’Amadio (32:33); 30-39, 1. John Contract (23:31), 2. Neil Burns (23:43) and 3. Curt Lurie (25:56); 40-49, 1. Fred Tovati (18:30), 2. Stephano Baccinelli (20:59) and 3. Kerwin Lanz (21:02); 50-59, 1. Jerry Devlin (20:28), 2. Paul Fitch (22:57) and 3. Marty Slutzky (23:02); and 70+, Jim Robbins (30:40).

The women’s age group winners were: 19-and-under, 1. Deb Abelon (23:44) and 2. Erin Coyne (24:12); 20-29, 1. Megan Bruno (22:51) and 2. Maya Levy (22:54); 30-39, 1. Robin Domanski (24:24) and 2. Deb Lurie (25:39); and 40-49, Pat Coyne (27:31) and 2. Christine Yovnello (28:37).

The race series continues tonight with the 5K going off at 6:50 p.m. There will be a one-mile Fun Run and children’s races prior to the 5K. Call 431-2627 or visit the FARC Web site at www.farcnj.com for additional information.