Polar Bear races, plunge goes on in Asbury Park despite snow

Bob Tona, Lauren Rhatigan and Ken V at Polar Bear race & plunge in a snow storm 12/26/2010 Asbury Park Convention Hall

Polar Bear races, plunge goes on in Asbury Park despite snow

Polar Bear races, plunge goes
on in Asbury Park despite
snow

KIM PREDHAM LUEDDEKE • December 26, 2010

ASBURY PARK — In 47 years, the Shore Athletic
Club of New Jersey has never canceled its Polar Bear
Races.

So for a little thing like snow … even a predicted 16
or more inches … organizers weren't about to call
off Sunday's post-Christmas race along the Asbury
Park boardwalk.

"This was not the worst year,'' Harry Nolan, who has
competed in every Polar Bear race since it began,
told a hardy crowd of runners and fans who stuck
around for a post-race awards ceremony in the
Grand Arcade.

Believed to be the oldest 5-mile run in the nation,
the Shore Athletic Club's annual Polar Bear Race is a
tradition for many area runners. The race was
preceded Sunday by a 10-mile walk won by 24-
year-old Andres Chocho of Ecuador, who completed
the walk in 1 hour, 35 minutes and 1 second.

Nolan, 63, of Middletown, has run in the Polar Bear
Race when the temperature was five below zero, and
when the race course was "pure ice.'' Even so, even
he considered skipping this year's race when he saw
the snow start to fall.

"Any other race, I'd probably go back to bed,'' he
said.

But Nolan did show up, one of 117 runners who
finished the Polar Bear Race, which was cut to three
miles this year because of the weather. Many of the
competitors were bundled up in sweatpants and
jackets to ward off the sleeting snow and chilly
temperatures.

"It was intense,'' said Howell native Joe Rooney, the
first to cross the finish line at 18 minutes 33
seconds.

Rooney, a triathlete, guessed he has run in the
Polar Bear Race four times. This year, he said, "It was
kind of rough. But there was a lot of energy out
there.''

The first female to complete the race was Allison
Linnell of Colts Neck, who runs for University of
Washington's cross-country team.

Linnell, 20, clocked in at 18 minutes 54 seconds.

Ice formed on her eyelashes as she ran and she
could barely see, Linnell said after the race. But, she
said, "It was fun ... Definitely makes you tougher.''

Runners probably got a boost from the sight and
sounds of Dave DeMonico, a fixture at the Polar Bear
Races for years now.

The Ocean Township resident was out there on the
boards once again this year, wearing his trademark
Santa suit and playing tunes on his trumpet for the
competitors.

"It's fun. People seem to like it,'' DeMonico, 43, said
Sunday.

DeMonico was also the one to start another
enduring tradition, the annual plunge into the
Atlantic Ocean after the race.

Immediately following the race Sunday, runners
stripped down to shorts, sports bras and even
bikinis for a quick dip in the rough surf.

Greg Capriotti of Middletown celebrated his 25
birthday by taking the plunge for the first time ever.

"It was actually so cold that you stop feeling,'' said
Capriotti.

Kim Predham Lueddeke: 732-308-7752;

GMC Red Division Wrestling Caps

SOUTH BRUNSWICK

Coach: Joe Dougherty, 23rd season

Last year: 18-6 overall, 6-2 GMC Red

Key losses: Frank Capraro (17-14 at 125), Justin DeAndrea (21-12 at 160), Brendan Vercammen (37-4 at 171), Fabian Jackson (14-4 at 171), Jeff Goldhagen (26-8 at 189); Keith Lewis (12-13 at HWT).

Probable lineup: Parth Patel (So., 103); Jordan Pagano (Fr., 112 or 119); Justin Lopez (Jr., 112 or 119, 22-5 at 112); Chad Capraro (Jr., 119, 17-19 at 103); Tommy Dorsay (Fr., 125 or 130); Fran White (Jr., 125 or 130, 13-18 at 119); David Dominguez (Sr., 135); Matt Baratta (Jr., 135); Ryan Dorsay (Jr., 140); James Pagano (Jr., 145, 18-12 at 130); Luke Rimmer (Jr., 145, 17-13 at 145); Constantine Rissiotis (So., 145); Tyler Jaramillo (Jr., 152, 17-18 at 140); Jake Pietrefessa (Jr., 160, 15-12 at 152); Andre Bankhole-Jones (Sr., 160); Ali Yildiz (So., 171); Lucas DelPiano (Sr., 189, 8-5 at 215); Dallas Siegel (Jr., 215); Kevin Moses (So., HWT). Outlook: The Vikings lost 127 wins to graduation or transfer. Lewis (Franklin) and Jackson (Brick Memorial) are at new schools. Vercammen was South Brunswick's third state medal winner in as many years, placing fifth at 171. He ranks third all-time in victories at the school with 97. DelPiano, who wrestled up at 215 last year, gets to compete at his natural weight. South Brunswick has incredible depth in the lower weights. Tommy Dorsay could be one of the GMC's top newcomers. Yildiz used to lose wrestle-offs by one point to the graduated DeAndrea, so he promises to be solid. Siegel placed second in the 2010 GMC jayvee tourney. The nine returning letterwinners have combined for 214 career wins. Chad Capraro, Lopez and Pagano are incumbent region qualifiers. They all medaled in the 2010 GMCT, along with Jaramillo (5th at 140), Rimmer (6th at 145) and Pietrefesa (7th at 152). http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201012170350

Road runners wanted for unusual run Freezing Cold Hash

Road runners wanted for
unusual run

December 10, 2010

EDISON — The Freezing Cold Hash Run, a 3- to 5-
mile group run, will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday,
Jan. 8. The run will start from Kenneth Vercammen
Law Office, 2053 Woodbridge Ave., Edison.

If you like trail running without the competition of a
formal race, this is the race for you. It is a complex
and different course through woods, grass, swamp
and marsh.

The cost to run is $12.69. A free t-shirt and open
bar will be available from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. for
those who register in advance. Registration is $17
the day of the race.

Volunteers will receive a t-shirt and have access to
the open bar. Participants are asked to bring a
nonperishable food donation for the St. James Food
Band.

A post-run social will take place at the Green Derby
Bar. The cost to attend is $5.

To register, visit http://www.active.
com/running/edison-nj/freezing-cold-hash-run-
2011. Additional information is available at www.
njlaws.com/FREEZING_COLD_HASH_RUN.htm.

FREEZING COLD HASH RUN

FREEZING COLD HASH RUN

Sat. Jan. 8, 2011 10am

3 & 5 MILE GROUP RUN

START: Kenneth Vercammen Law Office

2053 Woodbridge Ave., Edison, NJ 08817.

For benefit of St. James Food Bank.

Tired of the same old neighborhood roads, traffic, and bad drivers? Join the off-road runners for a great and unusual training run. See the swamps and wooded areas saved from development. The Rumson Hash House Harriers again return to the woods and marsh of Edison. Hashing is not a race but a non-competitive group run which follows an off-road course laid out with baking flour. This trail running through woods, grass, swamp and marsh. Wear old running shoes.

$12.69 TO RUN. FREE T-SHIRT AND OPEN BAR FROM 7:30AM – 11:30AM for Pre-registered. $17.00 DAY OF EVENT. PLEASE BRING A CAN FOOD DONATION FOR THE ST. JAMES FOOD BANK. VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE A SHIRT AND OPEN BAR! $5.00 FOR THE POST RUN SOCIAL HELD AT THE GREEN DERBY BAR, SITE OF THE "ON-ON" BREWS. FREE BEER FOR WOMEN 21-69. A fun time is guaranteed! You must be over 21 years old to participate. No times are recorded. A sense a humor is a must. Prizes and giveaways at the post race social.

See info at www.njlaws.com/FREEZING_COLD_HASH_RUN.htm

For details call run “hare” Ken Vercammen (The runner in the red, white & blue flag shorts) at 732-572-0500 or email: VercammenLaw@Njlaws.com

Fun Upcoming Running Races 2010 Selected by Kenneth Vercammen

Fun Upcoming Running Races 2010 Selected by Kenneth Vercammen

If you are attending any of these races, please call or email Ken V. Often we car pool or met at these events. If you can run, you can volunteer, or walk the course.

9/5/2010 Jimmy D 5k New Brunswick 9am free beer

9/5 Woodbridge 5k 9am

9/6/2010 So Plainfield 3m

9/6/10 Monday Pier House 5k 8:30

9/11 Cranbury Day 5k 9am

9/11 Brielle 10k 9am & beer garden

9/11 911 Memorial run Belmar

9/12/2010 Great Atlantic Seaside Triathlon 7am [paid]

9/12 Monmouth County Sprint Triathlon 1/4mi Sw, 13mi Bi, 4mi Run, 8am Seven Presidents Park Long Branch NJ

9/18/2010 Vice Versa Sprint Tri Run 3.5 miles, Bike 12 miles, Swim ¼ mile Allenhurst

9/18 Fallen Heroes Memorial Run Now at Bar Anticipation, Lake Como 5k 9:30 no more ultimate beer truck

9/18 Ocean Grove 5k 9am

9/19/2010 "War at the Shore" Triathlon Short course .4k swim, 8.5 mile bike, 3 mile run 6:45am long course .8k swim, 17 mile bike, 5 mile run 6:30am Long Branch NJ Sandy Hookers Tri Club

9/19 JSRC Picnic at Monmouth Park Racetrack

9/25 Metuchen YMCA 5k 8:30 Garbolino 5k run at Roosevelt Park

9/25 KeyportFest 5K and One Mile Fitness Walk 5k, 8:30am Keyport NJ

9/25 Boardwalk Relay- Asbury Park JSRC

9/26 Lavallette Sprint triathlon Swim ¼ mile, Bike 12 miles, Run 3.1 miles Boy Scout Troop #22 Jesse W. Anderson Sprint 7:30 $30.00 +

9/26/2010 Newport Liberty Half Marathon, 8:30am Newport Towne Square, Jersey City 908-902-8587

9/26 Treasure Island Sprint Triathlon 600 meter swim, 10.5-mile bike, 3 mile run, Pt Pleasant NJ 8:45 $45.00

9/26 Manasquan Reservoir 5 mile 9:00am Howell

9/26 Long Branch Bosco 5k, 5 mile, 10 mile

9/_ Bayshore Classic 5K Road Race 5k Run 9am Holmdel NJ

9/_ Bridgewater Perkins 5k 9:30

9/_ USATF-NJ Open and Masters Men's & Women's 5k XC Championships, Holmdel Park, Holmdel, usatfnj@usatfnj.org, 973-334-8900

9/_ McGuire Air Force Mud fest 10k 9am

9/_ Carnegie 5k 9:30 Princeton for team when you register, write RVRR

9/_ High Speed Chase 5k Piscataway 9am

9/_ Carpenter Classic 8am Seaside

10/2 Monroe 5k 9am

10/3 Jersey Shore Half Marathon & 5k 13.1 and 5k Sandy Hook 9am

10/3/2010 Clamman Triathlon Berkeley Twp Triathlon Jersey Shore Multisport 7am

10/3 Race for Cure Jackson

10/9 The Rat Race-Fall 4 mile fun run Boston's in Toms River Hashing & free beer

10/10 Deal 5 miler 5k Deal hot dogs & free beer

10/10 END OF SEASON TRIATHLON/DUATHLON Island Beach State Park, NJ http://www.dqtridu.com/eos.htm

10/16 Heights Pride 5k Spring Lake Hts

10/16 Harbor Seal 5k Seaside 10am

10/17 Seaside Half Marathon & 5K 13.1 mile run, 10am, 13.1 walk, 9am, 5k 10:10 Seaside Park NJ

10/17 Sunday East Brunswick 1pm 5k & 10k RVRR well run event Road closed to traffic www.ebrr.org

10/24 Trick or Trot 4 mile run 4-mile Long Branch party at Celtic Cottage after run discount beer

10/_ Hit The Bricks Sayreville, NJ 5 M 9:30 AM

10/_ Hometown Harvest Hightstown, NJ 5 K 8:30 AM

10/_ Frost on the Pumpkin South River, NJ 10 K 9:30 AM Cool winner mugs, secret free beer? big hill

11/7 Sunday RUN with the VIKINGS 5K 10:00 AM South Brunswick High School, South Brunswick, NJ Bob Tona's good event

11/7 NYC Marathon NYC

11/13 Hashathon 6.6 Mile Cheesequake challenging, dangerous trails, free beer, best post race party with band, 732-542-6090 [Ken cannot attend]

11/13/2010 Colonial Park 5K Turkey Trot Colonial Park, Somerset 9:30

11/20 Manasquan Turkey Trot 5-mile Manasquan 11am party at taverns after race discount beer

11/26 Born to Run 5 mile Freehold Friday Free beer at Court Jester tavern 11am

11/27 Rumson hash annual Crazy Eddie memorial trail run, not race

11/28 Navesink Challenge 15k and 5k, Middletown, NJ 732-542-6090 Quality JSRC event with Race director Dave Z. Free food and discount beer at Outback

11/ Cocoa Beach Florida 2 mile

11/_ Giralda Farms 10k Masters

11/__ Swamp Devil 5k Basking Ridge 1pm

12/_ Big Chill 5k Rutgers

12/5 Arthritis 5k Metuchen

12/1 Toys for Tots 5k Freehold 10am

12/11 Arthritis 5k Bar A

12/12/2010 USATF-NJ 10 MILE CHAMPIONSHIP, 11am Mercer County Park, West Windsor, 973-334-890 discount beer

12/ Rumson hash trail run, not race

12/ ____________________ ? still looking for a race

12/26 Polar Bear Races 5k Asbury Park 5mi Run, 1pm, 732-222-9080 Free Polar Plunge swim in Atlantic Ocean after race, then discount beer at Wonder Bar

12/31 Lake Como Bar A group run, not a race free beer

1/1/2011 New Years Day 12 noon CJRR Westfield

Jan 2, 2010 Freehold Winter 5k 10:00am

Jan. 9, 2011 Freezing Cold Hash run, Edison, NJ -Start Ken Vercammen Law Office, 2053 Woodbridge Ave, Edison 732-572-0500 Adventure trail run, not a formal race. Featured on TV News12 NJ and Cablevision. Free beer, open bar 7:30-11:30

Jan 9, 2011 Freehold Winter 5k 10:00am

Jan 16 2011 Freehold Winter 5k 10:00am

Jan 23 2011 Freehold Winter 5k 10:00am