The Labor Day weekend brought an exciting conclusion to the summer racing season across the tristate region, with two outstanding events showcasing the depth and competitive spirit of the local running community. From the scenic shores of Pompton Lakes on Sunday to the picturesque Lake Mohawk in Sparta on Monday, runners delivered memorable performances that highlighted both veteran excellence and emerging young talent.
Pompton Lakes 5K: Gonzalez Dominates with Sub-18 Performance
Sunday’s Pompton Lakes 5K Run/Walk saw Efrain Gonzalez of Oakland deliver a commanding performance, claiming overall victory with an impressive time of 17:11.91. The 41-year-old’s sub-18-minute effort demonstrated that age is no barrier to elite performance, as he crossed the finish line nearly 25 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.
Ryan Scully of Rochelle Park secured second place with 17:36.62, while Gepy Bernstein of Pompton Lakes rounded out the podium in 19:05.78. The men’s field showcased remarkable depth, with the top 10 finishers all breaking the 22-minute barrier.
In the women’s competition, 15-year-old Pola Gospodarzec of Pompton Lakes emerged as the standout performer, claiming the female title with an outstanding 23:15.47 to finish 25th overall. Her performance highlighted the strength of youth athletics in the region, finishing ahead of seasoned competitors with a time that would be competitive in many high school varsity races.
Jaylene Perez, 17, of Pompton Lakes continued the youth movement with second place among women in 23:42.52, while Corinne Lengel of Mahwah claimed third in 23:51.01.
Notable Age Group Performances
The race featured several standout age group performances that deserve recognition:
- Jose Giao (52, Newark) delivered one of the day’s most impressive efforts, clocking 21:56.91 to win the men’s 50-59 division and finish 14th overall
- Charlie Slaughter (70, Parsippany) proved that competitive fire burns bright at any age, winning the men’s 70-79 category with 22:56.87
- Rafael Herrera (62, Sleepy Hollow, NY) topped the men’s 60-69 division with 21:43.79, finishing 11th overall
Labor Day 5K: McGurrin Leads Youth Charge at Lake Mohawk
Monday’s Labor Day 5K at Lake Mohawk, Sparta, provided a fitting finale to the weekend’s racing action, with 17-year-old Jack McGurrin of Sparta claiming overall honors in 17:04.29. McGurrin’s victory marked another triumph for youth athletics, as he led from start to finish on the challenging lakeside course.
Mark Minervini of Stanhope, running in the men’s 30-39 division, secured second place overall with 17:25.07, while 15-year-old Nivas Palaniappan of Plainsboro completed the overall podium with 17:26.68, making it two teenagers in the top three finishers.
The women’s race saw Jessica Eiffert of Sparta claim victory with 19:22.06, finishing 8th overall in a performance that demonstrated the competitive balance between male and female athletes. Katie Filak of Westfield followed in second with 19:58.73, while 16-year-old Celia Rossettini of Sparta took third in 20:14.91.
Depth Across All Divisions
The Labor Day race showcased exceptional depth across all age categories:
- John Larkin (36, Sparta) led the men’s 30-39 division with 17:39.66, finishing 5th overall
- Michael Raples (51, Sparta) topped the men’s 50-59 category with 19:50.20
- Joseph Knodel (67) won the men’s 60-69 division with 21:55.47
- Paul Morgan (74, Hackettstown) claimed the men’s 70-79 title in 25:11.59
Weekend Highlights and Community Impact
Both races demonstrated the vibrant health of the tristate running community, with over 550 combined participants representing dozens of towns across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The events showcased not just competitive excellence but also the inclusive nature of road racing, with participants ranging from 6 to 88 years old.
The weekend’s standout theme was the emergence of young talent, with teenagers claiming overall victories and podium positions at both events. This bodes well for the future of competitive running in the region, as these young athletes continue to develop their skills and inspire others to join the sport.
Both races were expertly timed by Tristate Timing, ensuring accurate results and professional organization that has become the hallmark of quality road racing events in the region. The combination of scenic courses, strong community support, and competitive fields made for a memorable Labor Day weekend of racing.
As the summer racing season draws to a close, these events serve as a reminder of the strength and depth of the tristate running community. With fall racing season approaching, the performances from Pompton Lakes and Lake Mohawk have set a high bar for the competitions to come.
