The tristate running community delivered exceptional performances this past weekend across two premier racing events, showcasing the depth of talent and competitive spirit that defines our local racing scene.
Racefaster Half Marathon: Elite Competition in Paramus
The Racefaster Half Marathon in Paramus, NJ proved once again why it’s considered one of the region’s premier distance events, with 392 finishers tackling the challenging 13.1-mile course under ideal racing conditions.
Men’s Race: Gaynor Dominates with Sub-1:18 Performance
Joseph Gaynor of Montclair delivered a commanding performance to claim the overall victory in 1:17:06, establishing himself as the runner to beat with a blistering 5:53 per mile pace. The 44-year-old’s time would be competitive in many regional championships, demonstrating the caliber of talent that the Racefaster Half Marathon continues to attract.
Jim Jammal of Jersey City secured second place in 1:18:50, while John Pozo of Cornwall, NY rounded out the podium with a 1:19:18 finish. The men’s field showed remarkable depth, with the top 10 finishers all breaking the 1:24 barrier – a testament to the race’s ability to draw serious competitors.
Particularly impressive was 17-year-old Michelangelo Lepore of Boonton, who finished fourth overall in 1:19:26, suggesting a bright future for this young talent in distance running.
Women’s Race: Walter Sets the Standard
Casey Walter of Glen Rock dominated the women’s field with an outstanding 1:23:27 performance, finishing 10th overall and demonstrating the strength of female distance running in our region. The 22-year-old’s sub-6:25 pace would be competitive in collegiate competition.
Sarah Mellea of Hoboken claimed second in 1:29:10, followed by Melissa Corraro of Shelton, CT in 1:30:06. The women’s field showed excellent competitive balance, with strong representation across all age groups.
Age Group Excellence
The race showcased outstanding age group performances, with several masters athletes delivering times that would be competitive in open competition. Notable performances included RENE BURGOS (60, Belleville) finishing 27th overall in 1:33:29, and Nancy Gitin (57, Pequannock) leading the women’s 55-59 division with a 1:49:52 effort.
Midland Park 5K: Speed and Community Spirit
The Midland Park 5K Run For Education delivered fast times and fierce competition, with 142 finishers representing the strong community support that makes this event special.
Wilson’s Sub-17:30 Masterclass
JONNY WILSON of Ridgewood produced the performance of the weekend with a scorching 17:04 victory, averaging an incredible 5:30 per mile pace. The 37-year-old’s time ranks among the fastest 5K performances in the region this season and demonstrates the elite level of competition that the Midland Park race continues to attract.
Aaron Goldstein of Midland Park, running on his home course, secured second place in 19:24, while Luis Zhinin of Hackensack completed the podium in 20:57. The men’s field showed excellent depth with sub-25:00 performances extending well into the top 25.
McDermott Leads Strong Women’s Field
Heather McDermott of Morristown claimed the women’s title with an impressive 21:05 performance, finishing fourth overall and demonstrating the competitive strength of the women’s field. Her sub-6:50 pace would be competitive in many regional championships.
Kelly Marquez of Teaneck, just 18 years old, showed tremendous promise with her second-place finish in 25:05, while Kristen Graham of Hawthorne rounded out the women’s podium in 25:24.
Youth Movement and Community Participation
The race showcased an impressive youth contingent, with multiple high school athletes breaking 25:00. Particularly notable was 15-year-old Evan Salge’s 22:56 performance, suggesting a bright future for young distance running in the area.
The strong community participation, with numerous local families and first responders competing, exemplified the grassroots spirit that makes events like the Midland Park 5K essential to the running community.
Looking Ahead
Both events demonstrated the continued strength and growth of tristate area running, with performances that would be competitive on regional and national levels. The combination of elite competition and strong community participation continues to make our local racing scene one of the most vibrant in the country.
As we move deeper into the racing season, performances like these set high standards for upcoming events and showcase the dedication and talent that defines our running community. Congratulations to all participants who made these weekends memorable celebrations of competitive running.
