Tak is back. The Lake Takanassee Road Race, sponsored by the Jersey Shore Athletic Club, began its 44th year Monday evening at the 5K circuit around the West Long Branch Lake.
Matt Hannay had the distinction of winning the first race of the Summer of 2007, clocking 17:01 for the 5,000-meter race. James Register was runner-up (17:23) and Mike Chirico (17:52) was third.
Rounding the Top 10 were: Pat Ford (18:01), Jim Klem (18:13), Harry Holan (18:54), Tom Zarra (19:00), Ken Kropac (19:02), John Sheehan (19:31) and Jay Boettchum (19:36).
Casey Crist was the women’s winner, posting a 21:32. Katie Kalb (21:42) and Ryan Hart (21:44) were not far off the pace set by Crist.
Heather Stavinski (23:17) and Christine Kalb (23:18) were fourth and fifth.
John Fredricks finished first among the racewalkers, stepping off a 28:58. Ron Salvio (29:15) and Tom Quattrochi (29:49) were second and third among the men.
Rose Geer won the women’s division in 29:41 followed by Joann Wood (35:30) and Janet Koss (42:23).
Elliott Denman won the Masters Division (40:13).
Age group winners were: 19 and Under-Male, Eric Levin (20:20), Female, Leah Mazzella (27:31); 20-29-Male, Mike Kerwick (20:03) and Female, Christine Kalb (23:18); 30-39-Male, Klem and Female, Stavinski; 40-49-Male, Ford and Female, Kim Mazzella (26:06); 50-59-Male, Zarra and Female, Audrey Ging (24:21); 60-69-Male, Nolan and Female, Marlyn Ryder (31:10); and 70-plus-Male, Dayton Rube (24:47).
Seventy runners and racewalkers completed the first race of the year.
The series, which began in the summer of 1964 and is the oldest race in the Jersey Shore, will continue Monday evenings through Aug. 27. On-site registration begins at 5:45 p.m. each Monday. Every session begins with a 1,500-meter race for boys and girls 14 and under at 6:30. The 5,000 run starts at 6:45 p.m. and the 5,000-meter racewalker at 6:47.
For additional information go to www.shoreac.org.
The Shore AC is hosting the USA Track and Field Open and Masters Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Monmouth University of Saturday. There is a full program of events including races from 100 meters up to 10,000, including relays. All the traditional throwing and jumping events are slated to go, including the hammer throw.
For more information, call meet direction Ken Dee at (732) 222-9080 or log on to www.gomuhawks.com.
Registration will run from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.