Westfielders Perform Well in Firecracker Run

Nomahegan Park in Cranford buzzed with activity yesterday as more than 1,500 participants turned out for the annual Firecracker Four Mile Run. Organizer Mike Rokicki added that a record number of people – over 1,000 – pre-registered this year. 

The race included three Westfield residents finishing in the top five in their categories. One Westfield resident and a Westfield High School track coach finished in the top ten overall. The Firecracker race is one of the most popular in the region, drawing runners from Westfield, Cranford and other communities.

While the main event was the 4-mile race, the 1-mile Cranford Jaycees Fun Run was also very popular and attracted an all-ages turnout – from young children to adults. 

Several members of the Westfield High School cross country and track teams were expected to run in the race, but the attention of many in the track program is on the annual Pizza Race in downtown Westfield on July 21.

WHS Assistant Track Coach Chris Tafelski, a Westfield native now residing in Garwood, was the top finisher with a relationship to Westfield. Tafelski, a 1997 graduate of WHS, finished sixth overall with a time of 21:44.

Tafelski and David Craig were the top Westfield finishers in the race. Craig finished 10th overall with a time of 22:34. Tafelski, 30, and Craig, 40, were also the two oldest top ten finishers with the rest of the pack in their 20s with the exception of an 18-year old from Rahway.

While watching friends and family, many spectators got into the Fourth of July spirit and dressed in red, white and blue – even some dogs sported Independence Day regalia. Check out the Patch photo gallery, at right, and the top finishers below:

Top Male Open Finishers

1. Solomon Too, New Milford. Time: 20:42.37

2. Tim Morgan, South Plainfield. Time: 21:04.34.

3. Joe Jacobs, Bloomingdale. Time: 21:23.05.

4. Kevin Brown, Cranford. Time: 21:26.31.

5. Stephen Mennitt, Edison. Time: 21:33.71

Top Female Open Finishers

1. Dana Guglielmo, Basking Ridge. Time: 25:16.26.

2. Jessica Barr, Cranford. Time: 26:28.12.

3. Kait Chegwidden, Hamburg. Time: 26:45.23.

4. Karen Merz, Montclair. Time: 27:20.60

5. Sheila Courter, Westfield. Time: 27:26.28

Top Male Masters Finishers

1. David Craig, Westfield. Time: 22:34.33

2. Francicso Morales, Bound Brook. Time: 23:32.64

3. Sergio Cano, Jersey City. Time: 25:01.31

4. Eric Davis, Edison. Time: 25:04.05

5. Kevin Devine, Basking Ridge. Time: 25:08.72

Top Female Masters Finishers

1. Karen Merz, Montclair. Time: 27:20.60

2. Sheila Courter, Westfield. Time: 27:26.28

3. Catherine Stone, Hamburg. Time: 27:39.02

4. Wanda Wang, Fort Lee. Time: 27:55.99

5. Debby Hall, Westfield. 27:59.63