2006 Firecracker Roundup

In its twenty seventh rendition, the Cranford Firecracker Four Mile proved to be far from a dud. In fact, a huge race day walk up swelled the overall finishers to 924 considerably above last year’s total. It made for a happy debut for new race director Mike Rokicki, who was also pleased that so many people braved sultry conditions.

“Overall, I couldn’t be happier. The race day walk up was very surprising but many people told me they did not care about the conditions. They just wanted to run a race,” said Rokicki.

Overall race winner Brian Harris of Clinton, NJ found the conditions far from ideal. “It was very hot and humid out there. I was just running to survive. I’m not sure if I would have been able to respond if someone had made a move on me,” said Harris, who is the store manager at the New Jersey Running Company in Westfield.

Harris ran the first mile with Michael Rothbart of Livingston, but broke it open in the second mile and cruised from there in a time far from his best.

“My best times are far behind me but that is the case with many of my friends,” said Harris, who was drenched in sweat after the race.

Looking far fresher was second place women’s finisher, Mallory Harlin, 19 of Cranford, who was also the top women’s finisher from Cranford and fourth finisher overall from Cranford.

“It wasn’t too bad out there,” said Harlin, a 2004 Cranford graduate.

“I don’t mind running in this kind of weather. This is the best race I have ever run here,” said Harlin.

Like many other local runners, Harlin enjoys starting Independence Day the same way.

“My family likes to come here and it’s a nice day,” said Harlin.

Another recent high school graduate who came back to run was 2004 Westfield High School graduate Deenie Quinn who finished ninth in the women’s division in 27:11.

“This is a nice training run for the middle of summer,” said Quinn, who finished her sophomore year at Yale.

The top local male finisher was 44-year-old Jeff Bryk of Westfield 14th in 23:13. Bryk finished nine seconds ahead of Paul Buccino of Westfield, the track coach at Morristown High School.

Fifth women’s finisher was Cougar senior to be Laura Gallo who ran 26:47.

“Four miles is a little more than Laura’s used to racing, but she is a fantastic runner,” said Harlin.

Well behind the top finishers there were numerous other local runners, less speedy but intense nonetheless.

“This is a great way to start the Fourth of July holiday,” said Don Hessemer, 50 of Fanwood.

“It was too hot to run a fast time. I’m just glad it’s over.”

However, the real story of the race continues to be the large numbers of families that came to enjoy all the amenities the race has to offer.

Former Race Director Art Bilenker, a Jaycee and race benefactor once again held court after the race and gave out awards to runners who could answer trivia questions, had the strangest jobs and had the nicest biceps among other things.

“This is nice day for the community. It’s a good day for everyone,” said Bilenker, a dentist in Cranford.

“This is what the fourth of July is all about,” said one runner as his happy young daughter sat on his shoulders awaiting another ice cream sandwich.

“I’ve lost track of the amount of popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream she has had,” said the runner and father.

“We just moved to the area but this will become part of our Fourth of July tradition,” he said.






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