Mark Leininger crosses the finish line of the George Sheehan Classic 5K Race in Red Bank June 13. Leininger, who starred at Colts Neck High School and American University, posted a winning time of 15:09.5, an average of 4:53 per mile. FRANK GALIPO Mark Leininger was in a hurry running through the streets of Red Bank. The former Colts Neck High School and American University star wanted to win the 22nd annual George Sheehan Classic 5K, and the best way for him to do that was to make the race difficult for the competition, even for himself.
“Strength is my strong suit,” Leininger said after his victory. “I wanted to go out hard from the beginning. That was pretty much my strategy, and I carried it in.”
It was almost a little too hard for Leininger, who made his debut in the popular road race, because he was unfamiliar with the course.
“I went out hard, close to under 4:45 for the first mile,” he said. “It was a bit too quick. It was hot out there, and the hills in the back wore me out a bit. It’s a challenging course.”
The ex-Cougar was up to the challenge of the course and his race strategy as he ran to victory, running solo for most of the 3.1 miles. Leininger stopped the clock in 15:09.5, averaging 4:53 per mile.
It was an encouraging result for the runner who is headed next month down to Greenville, South Carolina.
“I’m going to train with the Greenville Track Club Elite,” he said.
Leininger’s goal is to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Trials for the marathon. He doesn’t have to run a full marathon to qualify, however. A 1:05.00 for the 13.1-mile half marathon will suffice. Having run 49 minutes for 10 miles, that puts Leininger on pace for 1:05.00.
In addition to wanting the victory, Leininger also needed it. He remarked that when he heads down to South Carolina, he’ll be out of a job and could use the prize money he earned from winning the Sheehan, which is part of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, sponsored by McLoone’s.
Brick’s Brian Quilty took second behind Leininger (15:46.7), followed closely by Colorado Springs, Colorado’s Dusty Solis (15:51.9). Ruairi Moynihan from Fargo, North Dakota (16:27.2), and Ocean Township’s Greg Lowing (16:46.8) were fourth and fifth.
Marisa Cummings, who is a member of the New York Athletic Club, scored a very decisive victory. Like Leininger, she was alone at the finish. She was the only female runner under 19 minutes, winning in a quick 18:02.6. She finished 14th overall.
Barnegat’s Jennifer Nelson (19:14.1), Middletown’s Jamie Reuto (19:46.0), Bloomingdale’s Karen Auteri (19:55.5) and Lake Como’s Beth Marzigliano (20:01.7) completed the women’s top five.
Rounding out the men’s top 10 were Andy Herschman, Hazlet (16:48.2); Andrew Domrowiechi, Ocean (17:07.6); Mark Viggiano, Ocean (17:12.0); Liam Wall, Manasquan (17:17.8); and Kyle Clonan, Tinton Falls (17:23.4).
Completing the women’s top 10 were Catherine Wimmer, Little Silver (20:01.4); Jennifer Nolan, Hoboken (20:05.4); Dawn Wilcox, Little Silver (20:23.1); Kristen O’Dowd, Colts Neck (20:44.0); and Sue Flynn, Rumson (20:53.1).
More than 1,300 runners completed the race named in the memory of the late Dr. George Sheehan, who helped popularize jogging through his participation in running, his books and philosophy of athletics and life.
The Sheehan Classic was the second stop on the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, which is a series of five races in which the competitors accumulate points, with the runners with the most points receiving cash prizes.
Spring Lake kicked the Grand Prix season off May 23 with its annual 5-mile run. Andrew Brodeur crossed the line first in 24:42.5, just ahead of Leininger (24:50.2). New York City’s Sarah Cummings won the women’s race in 27:44. She was 11th overall. The runner up was Marisa Cummings (28:45.4).
The other races on the Grand Prix circuit are the Belmar 5-Mile Run, July 11; the Asbury Park 5K, Aug, 8; and the Pier House 5K in Long Brach, Sept. 7.