The Bears Running Club

The 2015 STAMPEDE 5K & MILE FUN RUN

SUNDAY, MAY 17th

LODESTAR PARK, NEWTON, NJ

 

5K @ 10 am ~ MILE @ 11 am

 

OF COURSE

The bucolic 5K course will tour runners around gorgeous Lodestar Park over both cross country and paved surfaces and affording stunning views throughout.

 The Mile course will be a double loop on paved paths

BE CAUSE

The Stampede benefits The Bears Youth Running Program and The Polar Bears Track & Field Program. Both are vital youth organizations that instill the many positive physical and mental benefits of the sport of running in our area youth.  

THE PAY OFF

Prizes for top three male and female finshers in the 5K

Age group awards to top three male and female finishers in 10 year age groups 

Award to everyone who completes the Mile Fun Run 

REFUELING

The Stampede has become famous for its post-race baked goods ! Enjoy and indulge after you race !

DON'T MISS A BEAT WITH JACK TANNEHILL  

Live music by Jack Tannehill!! This famous singer/song writer is awesome! 

 REGISTRATION 

Fee for the 5K is $15 pre-registration and $20 the day of the race

Fee for the Mile is $10

Please make checks payable to: "Bears Running"

Mail entries to: The Gordons, 946 Edgewood Drive, Newton, NJ  07860 

  REGISTER ON LINE NOW WITH THIS LINK OR PRINT OUT FORM BELOW

https://raceroster.com/events/2015/5103/Stillwater-Stampede-5k 

 

REGISTRATION FORM

NAME: ________________________________ AGE ON 5/17/15: ________     M or F 

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________________ 

 E-MAIL: __________________________________________________          5K  or  MILE 

 

WAIVER: In recognition of this entry being accepted, I certify that I am physically fit to complete this event. I also waive Lodestar Park, Fredon Township, The Polar Bears Tracn & Field Club, The Bears Youth Running Program and it's volunteers of any possible law suit stemming from injuries sustained in this event.  

NAME (Guardian if runner is under 18) ______________________   DATE: _________________ 

Eighteen degrees perfect for bathing suits for certain brave runners By Laurie Gordon Including wind chill from a frosty wind whipping off of Swartswood Lake, the temperature was all of 18 degrees on Saturday afternoon, but that didn’t stop six brave souls from running the 8th Annual Beach Blast 5-K in bathing suits. Elise Tooker, of Hampton, and Shannon James, from Lafayette, met during high school. Tooker ran track for Kittatinny and James for High Point. They now both run at Lock Haven University and have made accepting the Beach Blast race’s “dare to bare” challenge a tradition. Anyone who completes the three-point-one-mile course wearing a bathing suit gets their entry fee reimbursed. Joining these ladies in the challenge were Elise’s sister, Emily, Michael Bussow, of Layton, Dean Giering, from Newton, and Fredon’s Jackie Kaufman. Last year, Kaufman ran in a one piece while this year she opted for a green two piece and matching ear band. “It was a lot warmer last year,” she said afterward as she huddled up in a blanket, “I’ve been going without a coat for the past two days to harden myself for this.” Giering said his arms took the brunt of the cold. “You couldn’t hide from that wind coming off the lake.” Most of the hundred runners and walkers who came out of the warmth for the race were bundled to the hilt. The race’s winner, Andy Latincsics, of Hampton, is fresh off an injury that kept him side-lined for nearly a year. He ran 16:55. Second was Rob Rohel, of Branchville, in 18:35, and Al Siuta, of Titusville, was third in 19:45. In the women’s race, Lauren Huffman, of Culvers Lake, was the champion running 20:00. Second was Bears Youth Running Club captain, Katie Rohsler, of Fredon, who ran 21:45, and third was bathing-suit-clad Elise Tooker, who ran 22:20. The annual “Bitty Blast,” for kids five and under, followed the race. One brave girl competed in the cold. Appropriately, it was Molly Latincsics, daughter of the race’s champion. 2008 Results 1- Andy Latinscics- 16:53 2- Rob Rohel- 18:48 3- Al Siuta- 19:43 4- Lauren Huffman- 20:00 5- Joe Sappio= 20:21 6-John Guth- 20:30 7- Dion Cambell- 21:05 8- Katie Roshler- 21:12 9-Elise Tooker- 21:23 10- Shannon James- 21:27 11- Dean Giering- 21:30 12- Ian Anderson- 21:33 13- Lorne Macdonald- 21:38 14-Rich Furlong- 22:15 15- Robert McGill- 22:31 16- Dawn Latnscics- 22:52 17-Emily Tooker- 23:00 18- Bill Dolan- 23:10 19- Nick Lynch- 23:15 20- Mike Lynch- 23:17 21- Bill McGovern- 24:40 22- Nick Kaufman- 24:56 23- Sean Mayer- 25:11 24- Patricia Butcher- 25:20 25-Dimitri- 25:26 26- Jackie Kaufman- 25:27 27- George Becker- 25:31 28- Steve Schels- 25:47 29- John Sarman- 25:51 30- Sue Mayer- 26:04 31- Lisa Bauch- 26:14 32- Jermy Quinn- 26:23 33- Mike Bussow- 26:28 34- Taralynn Romagnoli- 26:45 35- Kathleen Murray- 26:50 36- Michelle Guth- 26:37 37- Shawna Bengevinga- 27:18 38- Rich Bauch-29:35 39- No Name (please contact so we can insert)- 30:08 40- Allen Spokane- 30:35 41- Bill McGovern- 30:53 42- Ginny Kopper- 30:53 43- Wendy Gardner- 30:54 44- Sara Pinsonault- 30:55 45- Jay Pinsonault- 30:56 46- T Daley- 31:10 47- BuckDecker-31:20 48- No Name- (please contact so we can insert)- 31:53 49- No Name- (please contact so we can insert)- 31:57 50- No Name- (please contact so we can insert)- 32:01 51- Marissa Kressman- 32:33 52- Lori McGill- 33:43 53- Arch Seamans- 33:55 54- Deb Drumm- 35:02 55- Friend of Deb Drumm- 35:03 56- No Name- (please contact so we can insert)- 37:56

Savino comes home to race his rival at Stampede
By G&L Gordon

Chris Savino was at yesterday’s 12th Annual Healthy Heart Stillwater Stampede at 6:30. The former Newton High School soccer stand out traded in his cleats to run cross country and track for St. Joseph’s College in Philly. He doesn’t regret his soccer days, “I had some good times” but regrets the base he could have built had he run cross country. His goal yesterday? Beat an idol: Hampton’s Andy Latincsics.

He did, by 7 seconds, however 16:13 wasn’t fast enough for the win as another Newton High grad, Ray Biersbach, defended his title by running 15:57. Biersbach, who pocked $100 or his effort, said that he enjoys returning “home” for this annual event. “Running through the camp ground with all the campers out there is an awesome feeling. I also love the finish through the pavilion while music is blaring through the speakers system.”

Rebecca Catalano, of Elizabeth, wanted an excuse to return to Swartswood State Park as she has been a past-participant at the annual August X-Treme Youth Running Camp. The return trip paid off handsomely, as Catalano was fastest female in 19:45. Forty eight year old Janice Morra, of Morristown, was second in 20:17, while 11-year-old Brittany Day, of The Bears Youth Running Program, ran a sizzling 21:06 on a hot and sizzling day.

Over 250 runners competed in the Stampede 5-K which was followed by a Mile Family Fun Run and a “Tiny Trot.” Proceeds benefited The Newton Memorial Heart Center.

Many employees from Newton Memorial participated in the event leading them to victory in the race’s “Hospital Challenge” over Morristown Memorial and St. Clares. Said Newton Memorial’s Jim Ferguson, “My son, Nicholas, had a ball challenging himself to run the one mile fun run instead of the Tiny Trot after seeing me run in the 5-K. The atmosphere was terrific, and the hospital is proud to be a part of this event.”

12th Annual Healthy Heart Stillwater Stampede 5-K Results

1. Ray Biersbach, 28, 15:57
2. Chris Savino, 19, 16:13
3. Andy Latinsics, 41, 16:20
4. Mark Banuk, 28, 16:30
5. Andrew Catalano, 20, 16:42
6. Leigh Parisak, 29, 17:42
7. Dave Siuta, 18, 17:42
8. Alex Erins, 18, 18:05
9. Bill Bosmann, 56, 19:05
10. Ryan Hashway, 31, 19:06
11. Torstem Madsen, 40, 19”08
12. Nick Kazimierczak, 18, 19:14
13. Brian Vogler, 23, 19:20
14. John Guth, 32, 19:24
15. Jon Kameen, 26, 19:32
16. Greg Mullins, 32, 19:37
17. Michael Maniscalco, 17, 19:39
18. Anthony Trombette, 17, 19:43
19. Rebecca Catalano, 20, 19:45
20. Adam Devine, 32, 20:04
21. Chris Maniscalco, 16, 20:06
22. Janice Morra, 47, 20:17
23. Drew Reinhardt, 14, 20:38
24. William Whitley, 58, 20:39
25. Brittany Day, 11, 21:06
26. Virginia Day, 42, 21:06
27. Dennis McGinley, 48, 21:14
28. Bill Plough, 52, 21:14
29. Dan Holdt, 31, 21:15
30. Niall Campbell, 23, 21:21
31. Robert Parisien, 26, 21:21
32. Al Siuta, 45, 21:35
33. Tina Flemming, 28, 21:44
34. Jim Rehrig, 64, 21:47
35. Paul Williams, 39, 21:48
36. Jim Stark, 47, 21:59
37. Charlie Marron, 51, 22:01
38. Bob Masci, 50, 22:03
39. Bogden Bienko, 59, 22:14
40. Rob Jennings, 35, 22:26
41. Michael Lawlor, 36, 22:28
42. Ralph Abramowitz, 62, 22:33
43. Dean Geiring
44. Rick Toma, 42, 22:40
45.Susan Cipriano, 30, 22:55
46. Bridget Jones, 32, 23:04
47. Randy Parks, 43, 22:06
48. Craig Polizzi, 44, 23:08
49. Rich Furlong, 59, 23:09
50. Kim Johnson, 45, 23:11
51 ED MAGEE, 45, 23:15
52 PETER KUCHIRSKI, 54, 23:23
53 LINDA HETER 48, 23:33
54 VINNIE CONNORS 65, 23:35 7
55 ELISE TOOKER,19, 23:42
56 ROBERT MCGILL 47 23:44
57 JOSEPH FARINELLA, 68, 23:48
58 MICHAEL BUSSOW 12, 23:53
59 JULIE STROTHER 12, 24:09
60 DANIEL DALRYMPLE 44, 24:12
61 TOM HEATHERWOOD, 46, 24:16
62 NED JENNINGS, 52, 24:22
63 SEAN DONOVAN, 16, 24:26
64 STEVEN SCHEIDER, 51, 24:46
65 GERALDINE SCERRA 43, 24:53
66 KATIE ROHBLER, 12, 25:02
67 LINDA PEOPLES 38, 25:15
68 STEPHEN NUGENT 15, 25:18
69 JIM FURGESON, 39, 25:19
70 REBECCA BUCHANAN 31, 25:27
71 JEAN NUGENT, 42, 25:31
72 JOHN PINIANA, 40, 25:51
73 JOHN NUGENT, 45, 25:53
74 NICOLE BOND, 22, 26:05
75 HILARY MANSEN, 39, 26:07
76 JOANNE BROWNE, 36, 26:35
77 TYLER THONHER, 15, 26:47
78 ANN WILLIAMS 39, 26:49
79 CHRISTINA GORDON, 47, 26:52
80. KAREN GABA, 47, 27:00
81. Amy Hoffnagle, 19, 27:01
82 DENISE AUTER, 32, 27:05
83 JENICA ASADOEIAN, 26, 27:07
84 ANN MCERLEAN 39, 27:10
85 JACKIE KAUFMAN, 42, 27:17
86 RAY WEBSTER 66. 27:26
87 JENNI SOFIO 35, 27:35
88 SHAWNA BENGIVENNI, 45, 27:39
89 BOB MATTIA 63, 27:47
90 JENNIFER MARRASH 19, 28:01
91 SANDRA SABOX 48, 28:19
92 HAL HALVORSEN 53, 28:37
93 WENDY FRIELING 43, 28:44
94 DARYL JONES 35, 28:47
95 NICOLE KLINDT, 25, 28:49
96 TIM RYANR 55, 28:59
97 JIM SCHUTTE, 44, 29:09
98 BOB HOPE, 57, 29:10
99 ALI TAYLOR, 15, 29:20
100 JAMES SMITH, 58, 29:21
101 SEAN MAYER 38, 29:26
102 SUE MAYER 38, 29:29
103 ELANOR YOUNG 36, 29:54
\104 JENNIFER HENNION 33, 30:02
105 MIKE BUSSOW 42, 30:22
106 WILLIAM DECKER 70, 30:27
107 MICAH MESKOWITZ 10, 30:46
108 JEN PINIAHA 44, 30:50 9:56
109 STEFANIE KAZIMIERSZ 16, 30:52
110 REBECCA SCHEIDER 15, 30:55
111 PENNY YOUNG 48, 31:10
112 THOMAS DAREY 55, 31:14
113 LOUIS IOPPOLO 73, 31:29
114 BILL GREENILLE 54, 31:51
115 JIM WONG 33 M 32:31
116 LISA HANRA 36 F 32:39
117 MARK VITALE 15 M 32:40
118 RICHARD WILDE 72, 32:51
119 LORI MCGILL 45, 32:53
120 DIANE JONES 54, 32:54
121 PATRICIA VOLIN 54, 32:54
122 RICHARD RHINESMITH 63, 33:06
123 SUE ESPOSITO 42, 34:45
124 JAMI KESSLER 45, 35:15
125 KATHIE ROHBLER 49, 35:18
126 DOROTHY HEATHERWOOD 38, 35:27
127 NINA JONSSON 46, 35:41
128 SANDRA ADAMETZ 51, 36:25
129 NANCY SMITH 55, 36:25
130 BoB FAY 65, 36:26

* There was not an official timing for those who chose to walk the 5-K course. Over 60 additional people participated in that faction of the event.

STAMPEDE UNITES LONG-TIME BUDDIES
By Laurie Gordon

Each year, on the first Saturday in June, two area men -- one from West Milford and the other from Oak Ridge -- make a traditional pilgrimage. Their destination it the annual Healthy Heart Stillwater Stampede 5-K race held just outside of Newton at Swartswood State Park.

For West Milford’s Ken Freedman, the trip is about running in the race. “Knowing I’m going to do it every year keeps me motivated to stay in shape,” the father of two very athletic daughters said. For Jim Valentine, of Oak Ridge, it’s about proudly representing America’s heroes. The Vietnam Veteran is the race’s official flag bearer each year, waving it above the starting line as the National Anthem plays. And for both men, going to the race is about friendships. “Two of our long-time buddies come in from the Philadelphia area to help out the race. It’s a real team effort,” Valentine said.

All of the men met through the Stampede’s race director, Guy Gordon. Gordon met Larry Gochman when the two were classmates at Temple University in the late 70s. Gochman has been at most of the 12 runnings of the Stampede and now holds the title of Director of Volunteers. He arrives in the area on Friday night to help with last minute details and accompanies Gordon to the park on race day at 3 am to help set up. Five years ago, Grant Brewer, a friend of Gochman’s through the two men’s love of The Eagles, started tagging along and now Brewer also has the race on his annual calendar. Like Gochman, he arises at 3 to help put out cones, mark the course and set up registration, food and t-shirts.

Gordon met Freedman when both were working at the Morris County Youth Detention Center in 1980, then Valentine and Gordon met through their jobs at the Morris County Division of Youth and Family Services in 1985. Over the years, Freedman, Valentine and Gochman have all become good friends through Gordon and the annual Stampede.

“I wouldn’t miss the race for the world,” Gochman said. “It’s a lot of fun, it’s a great cause, and I take my title very seriously.” Gochman can be found rallying his cast of volunteers from early in the morning until every award is handed out, every last morsel of the race’s trademark post-race baked goods is eaten and everything is cleaned up and put away for next year.

The Healthy Heart Stillwater Stampede benefits Newton Memorial Hospital’s heart center and a vital youth running program that instills the many benefits of the sport in area elementary and middle school kids. This year, the race will be held on Saturday, June 2nd. The marquis event is the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race, which participants can either walk or run. Following the 5-K, there is a Mile Fun Run then the “Tiny Trot” for kids five and under. The 5-K starts at 9 am at Swartswood State Park (on Route 619 in Newton) and the other events follow. As an added treat, participants will be serenaded by live music sung by Jack Tannehill before the race, as they finish and afterward.

“It’s great to see the pouring of support not just from the immediate community but from people from all over,” Freedman said. From the runners to all of the sponsors, it’s become a tradition for many.

Later in the afternoon on Stampede Saturday, when another Stampede is over and everything is tucked away, Valentine will be found flipping burgers on Gordon’s deck. Gochman will be standing next to him, sipping a cold beer, joined by Freedman, Brewer, Gordon and a gathering of race volunteers. The banter amongst the five friends is always lively, laughter abounds and so does a lot of reminiscing.

As traditional as the race had become to so many runners, to these men, it’s even more than a tradition. Though each of them have taken different paths in life, the first Saturday in June always leads them in the same direction: to Swartswod State Park.

Kittatinny senior running down his dream By Laurie Gordon “You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.” -- Steve Prefontaine Sam McMullen ran his first cross country race at the Wallkill Invitational when he was in second grade. Soccer was his primary sport, so he used running on and off over the years to get in shape. Then, when he turned 10, that changed and over the next few years, running became his primary sport and…his passion. A senior at Kittatinny Regional High School, McMullen is far and away the best distance runner on his cross country and track teams. With no one on his own team to push him, he’s learned to push himself and has had the tenacity to read, to learn and to self coach himself to become a champion. When McMullen was 10, he joined The Bears Youth Running Program and began going to races at Brundage Park. Often, he’d leave right after the race to get to a soccer game. Through the Bears, he improved and improved, and earned the right to travel around the country to the AAU Nationals. McMullen remained a member of The Bears through middle school and shone not only at Kittatinny, but throughout the state, hitting personal records in several distances. Then, ninth grade came and McMullen had aged out of the Bears. Many of his Bears teammates were going to Pope John, so they’d have one another to push in training. Not McMullen. As a freshman at Kittatinny Regional High, McMullen was an immediate stand out, and Coach Lou Cravotta recognized that. “My relationship with Coach Cravotta has been a big help in the way I train,” McMullen said.,“ One of his best qualities has always been his willingness to listen. We both have a tremendous amount of respect for each other which has allowed him to trust me enough to suggest a big part of weekly workouts.” Over the past four years, McMullen has plotted out each of his seasons. Since Kittatinny doesn’t have an indoor program, he’s accounted for the winter as a time to base build then add speed when he’s ready. An ankle injury plagued McMullen on and off for several years. McMullen’s initial ankle injury was sustained when he was 12 years old and the leader of the Bears Boys 11-12 Youth Team. The team, which included current Pope John stars Jeremy Scheid and Clay Smith, had very high expectations of winning a National Championship. Unfortunately, McMullen broke his ankle while skate boarding two weeks prior and this turned out to be the first of many ankle injuries he had to overcome. Undaunted, each time the injury reared its ugly head throughout his high school career, he sought treatment and eventually, orthotics, and finally, just in time for his senior year, it went away. When it comes to working out by himself, McMullen said it’s both good and bad. “On the one hand it allows me to relax and be alone with my thoughts on easy days. On the other hand, on hard days I’d much rather run with people who are better than me. Having someone to push you throughout a workout I think is just as important as the type of workout being performed.” Still, he’s stayed motivated through the base-building hot months of summer and the freezing icy winter months not to mention throughout his fall and spring seasons. “I have always had a few things that motivated me in sports before running. No matter what sport I stuck with, I always wanted to work hard at it so I’d eventually be able to continue it in college. After some of my friends left to go to Pope John to run it always left a bit of a chip on my shoulder and motivated me a little more. Although I have great teammates that can push me at the beginning of workouts, I’ve always struggled to push myself at the end of workouts when they might begin to fall behind. That’s when that chip on the shoulder really begins to motivate me because I think how hard my Pope John friends are running, so I push harder.” McMullen’s biggest two fans are his parents. “My parents have always been a huge support system for me,“ he said, “They never put pressure on me because they know I am always trying my hardest. They come to almost all of my races and always have a calming influence that helps me to relax, especially my dad.” Aside from his parents, McMullen looks up to a lot of famous elites. Steve Prefontaine has always been “the American icon of distance running” to McMullen, and he finds reading about him “very motivating.” McMullen’s Bears coaches continue to motivate him, especially Guy Gordon who attends many of his races and trains with him when he can on weekends. Bears coach, Bruce Wask, is also a big influence, attending races and sharing his years of experience in the sport. Of Coach Cravatta, McMullen said he “has always demonstrated the importance of patience and listening to help me be more mature.” McMullen credits all of these people with making him a “well-rounded as a runner and person” and said they “still continue to be a huge part of my inspiration.” Running has had a huge impact on the career McMullen plans to pursue. “I love working with sports and other athletes, so I figured one of the best ways to do that is to get a degree in Athletic Training. In the future I hope to eventually become a sports doctor of some kind for a professional team.” Though he hasn’t made a final college decision, it’s down to Marist, Roanoke, and Temple. He said he will “definitely” run in college and that “half of my decision on which college I go to is just based on how I like the coach and team at each school.” Some of McMullen’s Kittatinny teammates have asked him to make them preseason schedules and he said, “I always love hearing that because I know how important it is to get in base workouts in order to stay strong through the season.” McMullen lives in the Crandon Lakes section of Newton, and running from his house is one of his favorite places to enjoy his sport especially following the trials that go over the Kittatinny Mountains into Sandyston. “ I especially love running through Tillman’s Ravine and down into Buttermilk Falls. These areas are always so scenic and peaceful and have great dirt trails.” His favorite two early season workouts are long distance runs and hill repeats because “they are the basis of a good foundation.” Later in the season, his favorite workout is a combination of 400’s and 200’s. Alan Sillitoe wrote a short story entitled The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Though McMullen and the lad in the story are in different circumstances, they both seek solace in distance running. Like Steve Prefontaine, running has become McMullen’s positive obsession and it’s taken him to great heights including: 1st Team All-League SCIL Cross Country in 2005 and 2006, 1st Team All-Area Cross Country in 2006, 1st Team All League SCIL Track, 2006, Kittitanny Athlete of the Month, November, 2005, Sussex Bank Athlete of the Month, September, 2006, Kittitinny MVP in Cross Country, 2005 and in both Cross Country and Track in 2006. Kittitinny Coach’s Award Recipient, 2005 and of late, the Kittitinny High School Scholar Athlete of the Year for 2006-2007. McMullen placed 2nd in the North I Group Cross Country Sectionals, running a blazing 16:51 on the grueling Garrett Mountain 5-Kilometer Course and his personal bests include a 2:05 for 800 meters, 4:37 mile, 9:58 3200 and 16:18 for 5-kilometers. Several years ago, Bears teammates would tell stories about how McMullen would get off the school bus and run, with back pack in tow, all the way home. That was before practice and he was also known to run to the bus in the morning. Those “bus” runs added to McMullen’s mystique among the Bears and his passion for running became infectious in his Bears teammates. From a little boy who couldn’t wait to run after school to a young man determined to take his running to the highest level he can, McMullen epitomizes the word “commitment.” Like his American icon, Prefontaine, McMullen is willing to suffer any amount of pain in order to win a race, and his self-coaching and training is a reflection of that.