Course Record Smashed at BY BARBARA RUSHMAN MORRIS TOWNSHIP, NJ--The 6th annual 3-mile Hounds and Harriers Run was held in Loantaka Park on October 12. David Panush celebrated his 28th birthday with his black lab, Karma, by winning the race for the third year in a row. David smashed his old course record by 23 seconds, running the course in 15:49. David is a teacher and cross-country coach in Washington, DC. His parents live in nearby Florham Park, NJ. David's father, Richard Panush, Director of Internal Medicine at St. Barnabus Medical Center, also ran in the race with his dog Sweedie (23:01). The women's winner was Bonnie Linton and her Labrador retriever Brandie, of Hackettown, in a time of 18:54, 27 seconds off the course record she set last year. There were 122 runner/dog teams that came out in the light drizzle to be part of this special day. That is considered a huge turnout considering that only 150 runner/dog teams had been expected, and the skies were pretty gloomy. Most were not willing to let a little drizzle and soggy grass deter them from this event, held only once a year. Race director Barbara Rushman, of Florham Park, describes how everyone felt: "I feel like the Grinch tried to steal our Christmas but it came just the same. The weather couldn't dampen our spirits and joy of spending time with our best friends." Barbara was also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the adoption of her best friend and training partner, Sunchi, from St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center. In fact, Sunchi and her love of running and racing was the inspiration for the race. The race plans to donate $5,600 from the 2002 event to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center. This increase was due in large part to the generosity of the participants who donated money in addition to the entry fee. Three couples, Chris and Debbie Kelly, Robin and Susan Dawson, and Robert and Joann Duncan fell in the $100 or more category. Susan Dawson also donated a dozen handmade dog coats that were sold raising additional funds. These three couples were given gift bags of Kraft Foods' products as a thank you. Other donors were given a gift of "Oreo Cow" stuffed animals. The grand prize was a large bin of goodies and toys and a $50 gift certificate from NJ Pets, in East Hanover. All place winners received a ceramic Milk Bone treat jar and a custom designed show ribbon donated by NJ Pets. In addition to ten placement awards for men and women, recognition was given to first shelter adoptee or rescued dog, first veteran dog (age 10 or over), first small dog (25 lbs. or under), and first large dog (75 lbs. or over). First Shelter Adoptee was won by Lady and her owner Chuck Paul (17:34) and Dakota with Cheryl Maccaroni (19:31). First Veteran dog was awarded to Ernie and Mark DePiano (18:23) and the race director's dog Sunchi Rushman running with Kelly Vanasse (20:03). Ernie, in fact, was the most senior dog in the race at 12 years and 9 months old!
Milk Bone is the event's main sponsor but other contributions were made by Murray Hill Veterinary Associates, the Perambulating Pet Sitter, Liberty Abstract title insurance company, Benefits and Premium Review, and Actively Yours: Active Wear for Less. Drawing prizes came from Runner's World, Kong, Inc., Debbie Kelly, and American Animal Hospital. This race is put on by the Madison (NJ) based Rose City Runners Club. Special Recognition was given in the following categories: Donors giving $25 or more: Bonnie Ash, Guy Beardslee, Vicki Benz, Barry Bittermaster, Julie and Michael Burke, Margaret Drenchko, Robin and Susan Dawson, Robert and Joann Duncan, Mark DePiano, Laurel Fox, Jesse Greenwald, Chris and Debbie Kelly, Wendy Locke, Marge Moline, Joel Orton, Bill Pape, Robyn and Darron Ryder, David Shoemaker, Ron Stott, Robert and Rosanne Tona, Joel Vaag, Barb and Mike VonHalle, Bill Winterbottom, and Tom Write. St. Hubert's adoptees: Tia Beardslee, Max Brown, J.J. Colrick, Andy and Bing Doyle, Kelly Moran, Rudy Moorhead, Shadow Prebenda, Skippy Redling, Oreo and Sunchi Rushman, and Ally Wyman. Veteran Dogs (10 or over): Maxine Cerria, Sasha Chavez, Eddie Cutlip, Ernie DePiano, Andy Doyle, Tasha Hazelwood, Kali Hoeltzel, Iggy Lessack, Rudy Moorhead, Bentley Saradarian, and Sunchi Rushman. Teams that have run all 6 years: Max and Tracy Brown, Bob and Sasha Chavez, Mark and Ernie DePiano, Karen and Tucker Fox, and Mary and Ajax Guella.
1. David Panush/Karma (lab) Washington, DC 15:49 MALE Overall 1. David Panush/Karma (lab) Washington, DC 15:49 Shelter Adoptee/Rescue 1. Chuck Paul/Lady (speedmix) Madison 17:34 Veteran Dog (10 years and Over) 1. Mark DePiano/Ernie (border collie) Augusta 18:23 Large dog (75 lbs. and Over) 1. Bob Beers/Jake (weimeraner) Califon 17:51 Small Dog (25 lbs. and Under) 1. Ben Clarke/Maddie (beagle) Wayne 19:58 FEMALE Overall 1. Bonnie Linton/Brandie (lab) Hackettstown 18:54 Shelter Adoptee/Rescue 1. Cheryl Maccaroni/Dakota (Australian Kelpie) 19:31 Veteran Dog (10 years and Over) 1. Kelly Vanasse/Sunchi (brittany mix) Bridgewater 20:03 Large Dog (75 lbs. and Over) 1. Kathy Fulton/Austin (weimeraner) Basking Ridge 20:02 Small Dog (25 lbs. and Under) 1. Robyn Ryder/Molly (mini pin) High Bridge 25:52
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