Dennis, Jackucewicz win St. Paddy's 10-Mile Race

Rob Dennis continued his mastery of area road racing on March 22 when he won the Nestle Beverage Co. St. Paddy's 10-Mile Run.

Dennis, a former Red Bank Regional High School state champion runner who went on to excel at the College of William and Mary, covered the 10-mile course that started and finished in Michael Tighe Park, Georgia Road, Freehold Township, in 54:56. Dennis averaged 5:30 per mile on Freehold Township's back roads.

Road racing veteran Pedro Espinosol finished second in 55:56 and Luciano De- Oliverira was third in 57:33. Rounding out the top five were Jay McGovern (57:34) and Jeff Propet (57:34).

Since returning to the area after graduating from William and Mary in 2008, Dennis has been a frequent winner on the road circuit, especially races presented by the Freehold Area Running Club like the St. Paddy's race, which celebrated its 20th edition on March 22.

Current Colts Neck High School standout Briana Jackucewicz was the women's champion in 1:03.05 (a 6:19 pace). Jackucewicz was 19th overall.

Bronawyn O'Leary (1:04:40) and Karen Charles (1:04:43) were second and third, respectively.

In the racewalking division, Rob Salvio was first overall (1:48:21), Ben Ottmer (1:58:10) was second among the men and John Molendyk (2:07:28) was third.

Marie Paul was the women's winner (1:56:14) and finished second overall. Susan Middagh placed second (2:05:48) in the women's division.

Age group winners in the St. Paddy's 10-Mile Race were: ages 15-19, female, MacKenzie Roche (1:17:07) and male, Jared Cittadino (1:07:28); ages 20-29, female, Lauren Ginsiorsky (1:12:51) and male, Jeff Propet (57:34); ages 30-34, female, Amber Hart (1:06:37) and male, Jay McGovern (57:34); ages 35-39, female, Dawn Wilcox (1:13:24) and male, Brian Decker (59:31).

Ages 40-44, female, Kim Harris (1:10:56) and male, Joe Donoghue (58:28); ages 45-49, female, Gabby Barrett (1:09:44) and male, Ed Albortus (1:05:36); ages 50- 54, female, Lori Scisco (1:15:51) and male, Pete Kaplan (1:03:07); ages 55-59, female, Madeline Salom (1:23:15) and male, Neil Olicelli (1:10:37).

Ages 60-64, female, Jo Ann Coffee (1:21:38) and male, Roger Price (1:08:26); ages 65-69, female, Anna Thornhill (1:25:10) and male, Carl Danziger (1:24:02); ages 70-74, male, Joseph Delgardio (1:45:56); and ages 75- 79, male, Harry Papirman (1:34:49).

The Leprechaun 5K was won by 15- year-old Matthew Nelson in 17:36. John Ward, 14, was second in 17:59. Jonathan Castro was third in 18:01.

The women's race was even closer as Barbajean Brennan clocked 20:19 and finished just one second ahead of Jennifer Nelson (20:20). Ally Moskal was third (22:22).

More than 800 runners participated in the St. Paddy's races.

For more information on upcoming Freehold Area Running Club events, call 732-431-2627.