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Howe and M. Byrne Victorious at Midland 15K;
BY WAYNE BAKER FAR HILLS, NJ--Doris Correa, Cathy Grote, and Catherine Stone-Borkowski all win races. On days when they don't win, they usually don't lose by much. Sunday, May 18, which featured almost perfect running weather--temperatures in the 50s, overcast with a hint of drizzle--was one of those unusual days. Carol Howe, a Canadian living in Summit, NJ, crushed the women's division with her 53:09 clocking. Howe dominated the race from the gun. By mile 4, Howe led by about 90 seconds; by 6 her lead had grown to about 2½ minutes; and over 3½ minutes by the finish. Correa took second; Grote, a local favorite, third; and Stone-Borkowski, fourth. Howe, the mother of two, is working hard to make the 2004 Canadian Olympic team. She clocked a 2:34:29 at Grandma's Marathon on June 20, 2003. The men's race featured an early pack of five, but by the five-mile mark, only Matthew Byrne and Rafael Veras remained. As the race wore on, Byrne proved too strong and moved comfortably into the lead. The undercard for runners is the 5K race which was won by Laura Nann and Stephen Ondieki. There are also shorter races for children, mountain-bike races, and a health walk. The Midland Runs are part of an all-day, family-oriented sports festival to raise money for the Midland School in North Branch, NJ. The school is a private, non-profit, non-sectarian rehabilitation center for children ages 5-21 with cognitive, behavioral, and communication disorders. The festival-like atmosphere and the lush, park-like setting invites racers to picnic. The 15K course begins and ends on a grassy field at Moorland Farms. The course then proceeds onto gravel roads before moving to pavement near the midpoint of the race. Scenery along the course includes both lakes and streams. The start of the race, with the Volvo balloon alongside, is one of the most picturesque around.
15K 1. Matthew Byrne 48:25 5K 1. Stephen Ondieki 15:27 FEMALE 15K 1. Carol Howe 53:09 5K 1. Laura Nann 20:03 |
