Announcement
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.
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.
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