Labor Day Pier House 5K wraps up Jersey Shore Grand Prix

Long Branch, NJ - The revitalized Long Branch beachfront was the site of the 13th Annual Pier House 5K road race on Labor Day Monday, September 5th. Although the weather forecasters had predicted the worst from post-tropical-storm Hermine, runners experienced only windy end-of-summer weather on race morning along an out and back course, featuring the new boardwalk; a fast, flat course that paralleled the Atlantic Ocean, running south on promenade and road, then north on boards to finish at the Great Lawn.

Brian Quilty of Brick, age 26, paced the men's field with a time of 15:55 (15 minutes and 55 seconds) and Amanda Marino of Bradley Beach, also age 26, led all women with a time of 17:53 and finished fifth overall in the race.

Quilty's win was his first win of the Pier House 5K. “The race went very well,” he said, when asked about his performance. “I took it out from the start and led just about the whole way so I focused on running even splits for the race. The way out was nice with the wind at my back, and of course the way back was a little tougher, but the cooler weather was a welcome change of pace from the last few races I've run. The lead bike was really helpful and helped to push me a little harder, especially on the way back.”

Kyle Clonan, 24, Tinton Falls, followed Quilty to finish a minute back at 16:57 and earn the second place award. Kieran Tonero, 22, Livingston, was third in a time of 17:31, while Andrew Dombroweicki, 21, Ocean, 17:47, and Arthur Beyer, 17, Rumson, 18:08 round out the top five men.

Marino also lead the women’s field from the start. “While warming up, I realized how effortless it was to run with the north wind”, she shared, via email. “I decided to push the first half as hard as I could, then grit my way into the wind after the turn-around. It was kind of fun to test myself on the way back. I led the entire way, so it was good practice running hard just for the sake of running hard.” Adding “The Pier House 5k is a simple course, but it's really unique since racers run alongside the ocean the entire time. I love that it goes through Pier Village, and I especially love the heavy presence of Monmouth athletes cheering and giving out water!”

Jamie Reuter, Middletown, 37, past female winner (in 2012 and 2013) followed Marino and finished strong as runner-up at this event with a racing time of 18:50. Coming in third, for the women was Beth Marzigliano, 29, of Lake Como at 19:00. Shannon McCarthy, 22, of Fair Haven, 19:07 and Kellee McEwen, 28, Howell 19:53 followed to fill the top five womens’ spots.

Director Phil Hinck also commented on the course, “I am very pleased that we were able to use the entire new boardwalk, there was practically no time in which a runner could not view the turbulent ocean on the course.” On the weather, “I had a few sleepless nights but we were lucky. Other than the wind, it wasn't too bad at all for the participants.”

As the concluding race of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, Quilty’s win at Pier House secured him enough points to maintain his lead and be crowned Men’s Champion, with 392 points. Andrew Dombrowiecki, Ocean (355 points), Kyle Clonan, Tinton Falls (324), Marty McCormick, Arlington, VA (260) and Jonathan Erdelyi, Spring Lake, (244), also received top five Grand Prix honors. Quilty, Dombrowiecki and Clonan also went 1-2-3 in last year’s series.

Quilty shared his thoughts on the Grand Prix: “The series as a whole is tons of fun and something I try to participate in every summer. I am from Brick, but currently living in Glassboro, so these races give me a good excuse to come home for a visit and get some good racing in! It is a great atmosphere with a lot of strong runners to compete with at every race. I can always count on the Grand Prix races to be well organized with good courses and strong competition. And I hope to continue competing in them as long as I can!”

Pier House winner Amanda Marino, Bradley Beach, (393 points) is also the Women’s Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix Champion, followed by 2nd place point earner Beth Marzigliano, Lake Como (375, also second last year), Kellee McEwen (354) Howell, Dawn Wilcox, (343), Little Silver, and Marisa Cummings (292) of New York.

Marino also enjoyed participating in the series: “The races in the series are always fun and full of great people. The community feeling is what makes it all worth it for me. There is nothing better than a group of enthusiastic, passionate, and caring people. What a great summer of racing!”

The Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix event, sponsored by McLoone's, presented more than $2,000 in prize money to the top open and age group finishers. A commemorative gift was also presented to every runner who finished all five grand prix races - the Spring Lake 5, the Belmar 5, the Asbury Park Sheehan Classic 5K, and, of course, the Pier House 5K. The happy winner of the Grand Prize package, including a $500 gift card to McLoone's Restaurants, and an Atlantic City vacation, only for those who participated in all races in the series, was Dan Napolitan, of Wall.

One goal of the Pier House 5K is to bring runners and spectators to Long Branch to witness firsthand the amazing growth and post-Sandy rebirth in the area. Over 800 runners and children participated in the day’s events: the premier 5K and kid's races of various distances on the Long Branch Great Lawn. Volunteers for the race included members of the Jersey Shore Running Club, Middletown High School South Girls Cross Country and Monmouth University Track Team.

In the past 12 years, race proceeds of over $25,000 have been donated to several area charities, including Habitat for Humanity, CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Valerie Fund, Long Branch Recreation and the Long Branch Fire Company. Participating volunteer groups from local running clubs and area cross country teams have also been presented with donations. The 2016 event benefited Holiday Express, whose mission is to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Long Branch male finishers: Scott Newbold 20:55, Lazaro Henrique 21:15, Juan Valdes 21:24, Billy Byrne 21:45, Michael Watson 21:53, Oscar Valdes 22:49, Abe Labaton 23:07, Carl Ehnis 23:08, Lucas Snyder 23:55, Doug Milnes 27:23, Adam Harris 29:08, David Cochran 29:24, Daniel Koellhoffer 30:32, Eric Reich 31:06, Ed Rogers 31:29, Adam Shakoor 32:24, Adam Hilsen 32:29, Francis Tedeschi 33:53, John Byrne 34:56, Sam Hajjar 47:33.

Long Branch female finishers: Angela Ciroalo 21:24, Kiera Russo 25:21, Ruth Grimes 25:52, Bonnie Tedeschi 26:52, Casey Kelleher 27:36, Sutah Robins 28:03, Alexis Baker 29:07, Lisa Epstein 29:41, Catherine Rogers 31:23, Donna Rogers 31:33, Michelle Jacoby-Snyder 31:36, Natalie Paull 31:48, Gail Baker 36:00, Ellen Tully 54:05.

Complete results are posted on the Pier House 5K webpage http://pierhouse5k.jsrc.org.

Road-racing events continue with the Brielle 10K slated for September 10, and schedules can be found on these websites: www.jsrc.com and www.farcnj.com.

Friends and relatives of runners and racewalkers, as well as the general public, should be aware that at the Belmar boardwalk, across from Dunkin Donuts on Sunday, September 11, at 6 p.m., is the annual Jersey Shore Memorial Run (not a race) which will memorialize all from the Jersey Shore who tragically died on that infamous day. There is no fee. Show up and jog quietly to Spring Lake with other fellow mourners and enjoy a special, solemn occasion. You won't regret having given of your time.

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