Craig Segal, the former Holmdel High School state champion, ran away with the 224th running of the Freehold Area Running Club’s St. Paddy’s 10-Mile Race.
The event was held on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) this year. The race started and finished in Michael Tighe Park, Georgia Road, Freehold Township, taking participants around the back roads of Freehold Township.
Segal, who went on to run at Villanova University and Monmouth University, scored one of the most decisive wins in the history of the race, winning the 10-mile race by more than five minutes in 51:54.39. Now living in the Highlands, Segal averaged 5:12 en route to another Shore area road race victory.
Kyle Hall of Bronx, N.Y., was second to Segal (56:59.27), and Wall Township’s Jeff Propert finished third (58:12.50).
Brick’s Jaclyn Janicky was the women’s winner in 1:06:53.67. She averaged 6:42 per mile and was 17th overall. Michelle Quinlan of Morris Plains was not far behind in second (1:07:58.93). Another Brick Township runner, Heather Jasontek, took third (1:11:49.45). Jane Glozzy of Verona (1:12:01.08) and Cynthia Cirri of Jackson (1:14:45.10) were fourth and fifth, respectively.
In the racewalking division, Oakhurst’s Fred Linkhart won in 1:51:46.87, followed by Howell’s John Brennan (2:05:33.59) and Freehold’s Ben Ottmer (2:10:39.75). The top female was Long Branch’s Maria Paul (1:54:26.57). She was second overall.
There were 339 finishers of the 10-mile race, which has become a traditional stop for runners preparing for a spring marathon.
The accompanying Leprechaun 5K went to Manchester’s Chris Poss in a quick 16:01.54, an average of 5:10 per mile. South River’s Billy Foster, 16, was runnerup in 17:41.48, while Lakewood’s Eddie Carvente placed third (18:33.61).
Toms River’s Carolyn Rodgers was the women’s winner, clocking 22:41.43 on her way to the victory. She was 20th overall. Second place went to Rachel Kenny of Matawan (23:20.09) and third went to Melanie Lerner of Rumson (24:38.88).
For more information on the Freehold Area Running Club’s upcoming events, go to www.farcnj.com.