ANTHONY BENEDICTIS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES HIS REPEAT OF THE BELMAR FIVE. BOB BOTH PHOTO

Benedictis Repeats;
Dutoit Wins Women's Race at Belmar Five

BY JIM ROBBINS

BELMAR, NJ--With sunny skies and an ocean breeze 2,139 road racers competed in the 27th annual Belmar Five-Mile Run (now designated as the Johnny Cobb Memorial Run) on the good-racing-weather morning of July 12. The event is presented by the Belmar Improvement Fund and Jersey Shore Running Club (JSRC) in cooperation with the Borough of Belmar.

After a fine rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" by Dawn Ciccone, of Highlands, the racers dashed from their Second and Ocean Avenue starting area, just beyond the Shark River Bridge, and proceeded south on Ocean Avenue to and around Lake Como, returned to 6th Avenue, meandered around Silver Lake, and finished at the digital clock on Fifth and Ocean Avenues.

Anthony Benedictis, of Roselle Park, crossed the finish line first and repeated his victory from last year, with a racing time of 25:18, a bit slower than last year's time of 24:16 which was a PR for the two-time champion. Springfield's Scott Bessette was the runner-up in 26:08. "We were together for just about the first mile, then he [Benedictis] took off and I knew I couldn't catch him," offered Bessette in describing his performance. "It was beautiful," he further added when asked to comment on the course. "Anytime a course is flat, then to me it's beautiful, but with this course you have to take in the picturesque ocean and lakes and that adds to it," Bessette further explained.

Rounding out the top five were Rob DeFilippis, 26:13, of Tinton Falls; Jeff Rios, 26:18, of Norwalk, CT; and Shane Shatto, 26:28, of Garwood.

THERESA DUTOIT WINS THE WOMEN'S RACE. BOB BOTH PHOTO

Theresa Dutoit, of Morris Plains, was the women's winner in 28:02, good for 15th place overall. Back in South Africa a few years ago she had run under 27 minutes for her best effort for five miles informed the 30-year-old women's champion. "It was hot, but it was a very, very enjoyable race because it was so well organized," she said in general comments.

Madelyn Noe-Schlentz, of Freehold, was the second women's finisher in 30:24, followed by Noel Whitall, 31:21, of Toms River; Patty Anderson-Parado, 32:09, of Weehawken; and Linda Wolfe, 32:32, of Wall.

Wheelchair competitors use the same course but they start 30 seconds sooner than the regular 8:30 a.m. start. David Lowell, 52, of Somerville, last year's runner-up, was the champion in 25:56.

Ocean Township's Bob Hayes, veteran on the Shore area racing scene, and a member of the JSRC, was in at 44:58. "I took it easy on the first three miles or so [on Ocean Avenue and Lake Como] where the course was in the sun--the last part is in the shade [meandering through the tree-lined streets to the finish] so there I pushed a little harder," said Hayes, dairy manager of Foodtown, of West End, in explaining his racing strategy. Hayes had a 31:15 on this course in the mid-1980s he proudly informed.

"Hot, hot, hot," offered Belmar's Adele McDonough, president of the JSRC, in voicing her thoughts on the weather. She finished in 37:12. But she was quick to point out positively that there were a lot of water spots available and the people manning them were helpful and cheering us on. Four water spots were organized by Bob Hyer, president of the Freehold Area Running Club, and they were serviced, respectively, by the Manasquan Key Club, New Jersey Natural Gas, the Atlantic Club, and students of Wall Township's track teams.

Jane Erbe, of Spring Lake, the women's 2002 champion of Wall Township's Firecracker Five, finished in 35:15 and earned a 3rd place age-group award. "A nice, cool breeze blowing on us at the beginning and a good tailwind at the end," were Erbe's comments on the weather.

"Eighty-two years old," the spectators heard over the loudspeaker as Clarence Lurch, of Wall Township, crossed the finish line in 1:00:49, a bit over a 12-minute mile. "I have to be," was the proprietor of Lertch (sic) Wrecking company's answer when questioned as to whether or not he was satisfied with his racing time. The soon-to-be-eighty-three in October Lurch is often seen in area races and is a regular at the JSRC Summer Series of races at Wall Township's Municipal Park on Thursday evenings. His racing number was also 82, by design, not by accident.

Several teams also entered this event in which the best four times of the racers on each team were recorded and totaled. The lowest and winning time was posted by the Shore Athletic Club at 1:49:13. Team members were Rob DeFilippis, 26:13; Jeff Rios, 26:18; Jon Smolenski, 28:16, of Long Branch; and Tom Kennedy, 28:24, of Rockville Center, NY. The second team was JSRC Masters in 2:03:37 and third was Danny's Boy Staten Island in 2:09:26.

Karen Heulitt, of the Belmar Improvement Fund, a beneficiary, was on hand to inform that among other projects already accomplished, such as the skateboard rink and the E Street playground, the Fund's upcoming plan is to provide a decorative footbridge over Silver Lake.

Belmar First-Aid Squad, in the person of Lieutenant Rick Hines, reported that a runner on the course had a minor injury and one suffered from heat exposure and both were transported to the hospital. A few others were treated at the Park and released. "Other than that it was a nice, quiet day; well organized," he said.

The event began on Friday evening, July 11, at the Silver Lake park across from Taylor Pavilion, both of which served as the event's staging areas. It included a Fitness Walk for adults, twice around the lake, and a series of Kids' Races for nearly 200 youngsters ages 3 to 14 in distances 40 to 440 yards, organized by John MacGilivary, NJ representative of the Road Runners Club of America. The children were greeted by Roxane D'Ambrosa and Niga Hootvliet dressed in their costumes of Chicklet the Clown and Elmo, of Sesame Street, respectively. Needless to say, there were many exuberant, cheering parents and grandparents present, making use of cameras to perpetuate on film the future Olympians' activities.

Phil Hinck, race director, and wife Penny, along with Phil Huntley, Tom Hall, and Emily Huff, JSRC members, awarded sweat shirts and towels to these winners and age-group leaders at the Huisman Gazebo located in the park adjacent to Silver Lake. Fred and Anna Torres, of Eliteracingsystems.com, of Clifton, assisted by Kristin Rodriguez, were the professional organizers of the computer results. Dan Brannen, of Morristown, organized the finish-line equipment and activities.

"I want to thank all our volunteers, especially the race committee, and the members of the Jersey Shore Running Club, and other area running clubs for their know-how efforts. I want to acknowledge the necessary financial support of all our sponsors and to recognize the professional support of the Belmar Police and Public Works departments. I want to offer a special appreciation to my wife, Penny. Thanks to the many participants this year. The success of the race will allow it to continue giving a scholarship in memory of Johnny Cobb for deserving St. Rose students," said Phil Hinck, race director, and past president of the Jersey Shore Running Club, in final comments.