Ocean City Labor Day Beach Run:
Weather Good, Tide Bad

BY HERB TOWNSEND

Ocean City, NJ--The tide is all-important for a beach run. A low tide is best because the sand next to the water is compacted hard, flat, and fast. At the other extreme, high tide is dreaded because the sand next to the water is generally more tilted, and is either newly wetted and soft, or dry and even softer--either way it is slow. Moreover, trying to find the best compromise between newly wet and dry sand, or attempting to keep on a straight path, often results in getting shoes wet by the lapping waves.

On September 5, the Mayor’s Labor Day Five-Mile Beach Run had ideal weather--mild temperatures, low humidity, and bright sun. Unfortunately, race time coincided with high tide, and the going was slow for all of the 224 runners. My time was almost three minutes longer than last year’s on the simple out-and-back course on the beach. Nevertheless, a bad time at a beach race is better than just about anything else.

MALE

Overall

1. Gregg Whitely 31:27

19 and Under

1. John Fennekohl 33:13
2. Ryan Birchmeier 33:19
3. Patrick Thorp 36:33

20-29

1. Thomas Taggart 31:38
2. Shawn Strohm 33:29
3. Mathew Swadley 37:45

30-39

1. Dave O’Connell 33:44
2. John Yanzuk 35:16
3. Tom Darragh 36:45

40-49

1. Jeff Gross 34:38
2. Fred Gropper 35:43
3. Fred Little 35:47

50-59

1. Ken Kling 37:42
2. Kenneth Sllack 38:41
3. Tom Campo 39:17

60-69

1. Herb Townsend 36:25
2. William Smeck 45:59
3. Bill Miley 46:24

70 and Over

1. Paul Roedell 57:32

FEMALE

Overall

1. Suzanne LaBurt 36:12

19 and Under

1. Jennifer Schofield 39:17
2. Lauren Cotter 49:20
3. Katelyn O’Brien 52:11

20-29

1. Karen Stout 38:22
2. Anne Sullivan 40:13
3. Tracy Vanlunvender 44:30

30-39

1. Louise Noonan 38:14
2. Wendy Walsh 39:27
3. Jennifer McCardell 41:52

40-49

1. Susan Steinbach 39:05
2. Patricia Labrizzi 42:55
3. Lisa Leaymah 44:12

50-59

1. Marlene Stoczko 49:14
2. Janet Grossman 52:10
3. Barbara Coleman 52:47