25 years and running for FARC Summer Series
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

You can't plan for an event lasting 25 years.On July 13, 1983, when the Freehold Area Running Club (FARC) hosted its first Summer Race Series 5K at Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, the organizers could never have imagined that it would become a Wednesday night tradition. Bud Fitch, the race director that night, said the series was simply "something we wanted to do." It is now the second longest summer series in the Shore area behind Lake Takanassee in West Long Branch, which kicked off in 1964.

Manalapan's Ralph Garfield, who ran in that first FARC race and was competing Wednesday night, compared the longevity to, of all things, running.

"You put one foot in front of the other and you don't think of stopping," he said.

The summer 5K hasn't stopped. Wednesday night, the FARC celebrated the start of the 25-year-old series with 106 runners and racewalkers toeing the line.

Ryan Donohue, who was a distance runner for Freehold Township High School, outkicked Freehold Borough sophomore Cody O'Flaherty to win the anniversary race in 17:44.04-17:44.57.

Manuel Arpi was third (18:38), with Brian Roche (18:52) and Randy Spadol (18:59) fourth and fifth.

Angela Peragine was the women's winner in 21:19, followed four seconds later by Rebecca Peerson (21:23) with Megan Peterson third (21:44).

Age group winners were: Male, 14U, James Faith (20:38), and Female 14U Anne Worthley (22:14); Male 15-19, Spadol, and Female 15-19, Erica Weitz (22:14); Male 20-29, Matt Sprunger (21:27), and Female 20-29, Jen Barr (22:19); Male 30-39, Bill Kostenko (19:45), and Female 30-39, Liz Spector (22:24); Male 40-49, Bob Andrews (20:31), and Female 40-49, Tina Agnello (25:18); Male 50-59, John Taylor (19:57), and Female 50-59, Pat Mantone (29:00); Male 60-69, Fitch (24:51), and Female 60-69, Carolyn Heuser (30:21); and Male, 70-79, Garfield (24:22).

That first race on July 13, 1983, featured some of the area's heavyweights. Former Manalapan High School all-state harriers and college stars Jim Casey and Tim Anderson went one-two in the inaugural race. Casey cranked out a 15:33, and Anderson followed in 15:44. Tony Morelli, who shined at St. John Vianney, ran a 16:02 in finishing third.

First among the women was Jeanmarie Jacoby, another former Manalapan High School star. She posted a 19:05 and finished 16th overall. There were 66 official finishers and one unofficial. The unofficial finisher was Fitch, the race director. He was the official starter and after everyone was on their way, he jumped into the field.

Hal Smith of Freehold, who ran in that first race and was an official at last week's race, had one vivid memory of that race 25 years ago.

"I remember getting to the two-mile mark and seeing Jim Casey racing to the finish line," he said.

What has made the Summer Race Series in the Park so enduring?

"It's great because of the camaraderie," noted Garfield. "Everyone is very friendly and you get to run in a beautiful park with no traffic."

John Jennings, who has been with the FARC since its beginning 25 years ago, offered his opinion of why the series is still thriving. He noted that the club has never strayed away from its main purpose, that racing is fun.

Fitch credited the addition of Kid's Races in the last 10 years with increasing the popularity of the series. They participated in a number of dashes, including the Battle of Monmouth Charge up the hill in back of the park's center.

"We never had this number of kids before," said Fitch.

One runner who started in the Kid's Races and graduated to bigger things was Scott Shortmeyer. He went on to run for Christian Brothers Academy and Monmouth University.

The series continues through Aug. 8. The 5K goes off at 6:45 p.m. with the Kid's Races and Fun Run preceding starting at 6 p.m.