Thomas, Soldo, Wall trio take FARC 5K races

By tim morris


JERRY WOLKOWITZ Kristen Alberts, of Freehold Township, nears the finish line ahead of the pack at the Freehold Area Running Club’s 5K race at Monmouth Battleground State Park last Wednesday. JERRY WOLKOWITZ Kristen Alberts, of Freehold Township, nears the finish line ahead of the pack at the Freehold Area Running Club’s 5K race at Monmouth Battleground State Park last Wednesday.

Adam Thomas of Point Pleasant and Danielle Soldo of East Windsor were the Freehold Area Running Club’s Summer Series winners last Wednesday night, but they were just part of the story.

Featured along with the individual 5K race at the Battlefield State Park in Manalapan was the three-person team relay. The Wall trio of Mark Haviland, Rob Rinaldy and Max Reicheit teamed up to capture the team relay.

Thomas won his first race of the summer turning in an 18:09, finishing just ahead of Kevin Zindell of Old Bridge (18:17, first in the 20-29 age group). Former Manalapan High School star Eric Costello (19:10 was third) followed by Jack Anderson of Toms River (19:33, first 40-49) and Mike Acer, Matawan (19:41, first 30-39).

Rounding out the Top 10 were: Robert Schwartz, Manalapan (19:50); Mark Leary, Roselle Park (20:03); Kerwin Lanz, Farmingdale (20:06); Paul Greitz , Freehold (20:26); and Ben Brennessel, Freehold (20:37, first 15-19).

Age group winners included Matt Doherty, Freehold (26:57, 14 & under); Barry Thomas, Manalapan (22:15, 50-59); Don Martin, Wall (25:55, 60-69); and Jim Robbins, Eatontown (29:35, 70 plus).

Lakewood’s Ben Ottmer continued his winning ways in the racewalking division marching off a 32:03.

Jamie Kerstetter of Monroe was the runner chasing Soldo. The East Windsor runners turned in a 19:51, getting her first win of the summer with Kerstetter, who was first in the 15-19 age group, second in 21:08.

Megan Bruno of Freehold was third in 22:21 and first in the 20-29 age group. Fourth place went to Robin Domanski of Manalapan (24:13), who was first in 30-39 and Eileen Korz of Freehold, who was fifth (26:31), but first in 40-49.

Rounding out the Top 10 were: Lynn Brennessel, Freehold (26:53); Pat Coyne, Freehold (27:25); Rosalie Lidzbarski, Monroe (28:07, first 50-59); Jennifer Winitt, Freehold (28:33); and Christine Yovnello, Freehold (28:50).

Joan Venslavsky finished first among the women racewalkers (34:10).

The team of Haviland, Ribaldy and Reicheit combined for an 18:50 for the 5K beating a team of Freehold Township High School runners. Kristin Alberts, Erin Coyne and Tom Antus ran a 19:26 in second place. The Patriot trio did finish first in the 50-100 total age division.

Maya Levy, Tina Strauss and Tom Brieva (20:20) were third.

Greg Jusinski, Evan Bessette and Renee Hyer were first in the under-50 total age, teaming up for a 29:11.

The FARC Summer Race Series, now in its 18th year, will continue tonight at the Battlefield State Park. The 5K will go off at 6:50 preceded by the kids’ races at 6:10 and a one-mile Fun Run at 6:30.

On Sunday, the club will present its 5K for Women Only run at 9 a.m. in Marlboro. The popular race will celebrate its 11th year, making it the oldest women’s-only race in New Jersey. This year’s race is also the New Jersey event in the national Avon/Road Runners Club of America Women’s 5K Series. A $100 award will go to the runner who breaks the course record of 16:44 set by Alicia Kelly back in 1994. Like the previous 10 editions of the event, the race will begin and end at the Marlboro Recreation Center, Wyncrest Road.

Moore’s Tavern and Restaurant of Freehold and Marlboro Township are sponsors of the event. For more on the Summer Race Series, the 5K for Women Only or other FARC events, call 431-2627 or www.farcnj.com.