2005

The Firecracker Four Mile begins its second quarter century Monday at Nomahegan Park in Cranford, hoping to maintain its prominent place among New Jersey’s top races. The four-mile starts at 9:30 and there is a one mile fun run that begins at 9 am.

Last year, a combination of perfect early July weather and new sponsorship helped make the 25th annual event the most successful ever according to race director Vitas Roman. Buoyed by $5,000 from lead corporate sponsor Commerce Bank, the race raised a record sponsorship total of almost $23,000.

Over 300 registered for the one-mile and over 1000 runners signed up for the four mile, with 914 finishing. While the turnout was comparable to recent years attendance was held down by what Roman described as “an unkind calendar.”

According to Roman, Sunday race days have historically been lighter in terms of turnout because many people travel out of town for the long holiday weekend The race is the major fund raiser for the Cranford Jaycees scholarship fund which awards scholarships to Cranford residents graduating high school, based on community service and academics.

With the July 4 holiday on Monday this year, the Jaycees are hoping that enough people choose to end their long weekends a day early and are also hoping for more temperate weather.

As always, the Cranford Jaycees will handle all volunteering and logistical aspects of the race, which can be considerable. In addition to Roman, Dr.Art Bilenker will be his usual ubiquitous self. Bilenker will handle post race announcing duties and running the raceCHIP program, which automatically times each runner who has a chip affixed to their shoe. Bilenker, who has directed the race numerous times is once again donating prize money to be paid to the second place finisher.

Another factor that draws a large number of repeat runners to the race is the amount of gifts each runner gets in addition to their tee shirt. In recent years, every runner has received such nice extras as designer polo bears, luggage or a men’s cologne package.

“At race time we are still looking for more goody bag stuff. We used to
get a lot from the local drug companies who were very generous, particularly Schering, but new government restrictions on drug company give always have dried up that source,” said Bilenker.

Bilenker, as has become the tradition, will be giving out numerous prizes after the race for such diverse skills” as the nicest legs, the most degrees earned, trivia questions and of course the runner who traveled the furthest. Usually there is at least one runner who has traveled across the country or come from overseas.

The key to the race’s long-term success has been the dedication of the volunteers.
“On race day, many things do not go exactly as planned, as any Race Director
will tell you. The key is to make it look to the runners that everything is
fine, and it really is, but adaptation and flexibility is the key ,” said Bilenker.

“I would like to add that the race really is planned throughout the year and
a tremendous amount of work, and missed time with the family, goes into that
One-hour event. The Race director does more than plan the race, he has to
motivate others to help him, because the job is too big for one person.
Everyone who volunteers, Jaycee or not, from the police and the First aid
squad to the people at the water stops and the sponsors, should be thanked.”

“TheCranford Jaycees, being such an active group in the community, feel it”
our duty to encourage and reward a new generation of volunteers. We hope to increase the scholarship awards we offer each year ,” said Roman.

Anthony DeBenedictis of Roselle Park, the 2002 and 2004 champion should be back to defend his title and may face strong competition from current Cranford runners, Joe McKenney and Kevin Brown. The first Cranford finisher KC Brown, a 2002 graduate finished in third place in 21:20 last year and could also be a threat to win.

As is often the case with their strong cross country team numerous present and former Cougar runners dominated the top 20 places last year, led by 2003 runner-up Tim Styler, who surmounted injuries to finish fifth in 21:33. Kevin Brown, followed in 11th place in 22:34. McKenney, running his first four-mile was 13th in a strong 22:44.

Although the four mile race is the highlight of the day, there are plenty more activities to draw families including Good Humor ice cream, cotton candy,
a face painter, a clown, a DJ, balloons and the prize awards.

The Jaycees sponsor and volunteer at various events throughout the year
including the Halloween parade, the Holiday tree trimming, the
children's Holiday party, a children's Holiday party for Cranford Family
Cares, the pancake breakfast, the pasta night, the mini golf tournament,
an NCAA night and NFC/AFC Championship Sunday fundraiser, and the
Leonard J. Snyder memorial fishing derby in honor of one of a Cranford Jaycee member
who died in the terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center September 11, 2001.

Runners last year were from Florida, North Carolina, Massachusetts,
California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Iowa, Hawaii, all over New
Jersey and an international entrant from France.