Cliffwood Beach Runner is Top Female in NJ Half Marathon

A Cliffwood Beach resident placed first in the women's half marathon at the 2012 New Jersey Marathon on Sunday in Oceanport and Long Branch.

Bronawyn O’Leary ran the course in 1:26:24. O'Leary was the top female at last year's New Jersey Marathon and at .

Several changes were made to the New Jersey Marathon this year, including a new starting location and time. About 13,000 participants enjoyed a perfect day and raced through the streets of several local towns as they raced to a finish on the Promenade in Long Branch.

The race's new starting location of Monmouth Park eased parking and some traffic concerns for participants, and a shuttle service to and from the race track helped tired runners and spectators reach their destinations.

Jason Page, of Durham, N.C., broke a course record that was set last year with a lightning fast time of 2:13:13.

The following are the top three male and finishers for half and full marathons.

Full Marathon - Men’s

Jason Page (Durham, N.C.) 2:13:13

Bennett H Gg (Sweden) 2:33:59

Joshua Korth (New York, N.Y.) 2:38:33

Full Marathon - Women’s

Megan Digregorio (White Marsh, Md.) 3:00:44

Elisabeth Drew (Warren) 3:02:25

Amy Maier (Philadelphia) 3:04:42

Half Marathon - Men’s

Sean Stevens (New York, N.Y.) 1:14:58

Cliff Gerber (East Brunswick) 1:15:52

Felix Olivo (Carteret) 1:18:09

Half Marathon - Women’s

Bronawyn O’Leary (Cliffwood Beach) 1:26:24

Danielle Kays (Bel Air, Md.) 1:26:30

Sarah Graham (Princeton) 1:26:35