Howell’s Majewski wins FARC predicted-time 5K

Martin Majewski of Howell wasn’t the fastest runner at the Freehold Area Running Club’s Summer Series 5K race last Wednesday night. That honor went to Marlboro’s Joe Pellegrino, but, nevertheless, Majewski was the winner.

Last week’s 5K was a special predicted-time event in which runners predicted what time it would take them to complete the Battlefield State Park course in Manalapan. Winners were based on who were the most accurate at predicting their time.

Majewski was just one second off his predicted time after running a 22:36. Runner-up was Rick Bessette of Howell whose 23:16 was six seconds off his predicted time. Englishtown’s Jim Jensen finished third after being 10 seconds off with his 24:49. John Weitz of Morganville ran a 20:07 that was 13 seconds away from his predicted time. Fifth overall, but first among the women, was Princeton’s Christina Gutowsky. She ran a 21:14 and was 14 seconds off her predicted time.

Rounding out the Top 10 were: Barry Thomas, Point Pleasant, 22:37 (:15); Lauren Fackelman, Manasquan, 21:29 (:16); Ben Ottmer, Lakewood, 31:48 (:18); Renee Heyer, Marlboro, 31:41 (:19); and Tina Strauss, Toms River, 22:05 (:20).

Pellegrino, the former Marlboro High School star, ran a 17:22 which put him across the finish line first. But his time was 22 seconds off his predicted time and he was 12th.

The Summer Race Series, which celebrated its 18th year this summer, concludes tonight with another special race. Tonight will be the Handicap 5K with runners being graded by their best previous time at Battlefield. Runners will go off according to that time. For instance, a runner with a best time of 22:00 will start five minutes ahead of one with a 17:00 best. Theoretically, if everyone runs their best time, there will be a blanket finish.

The 5K goes off at 6:50 p.m. It is preceded by the kids’ races and a one-mile Fun Run that begin at 6 p.m.