2010 Firecracker 4 Mile review

The 31st annual Firecracker Four Mile Run proved to be no dud as the beginnings of a vicious heat wave held off until after the race was completed and led to increased registration. A new champion was crowned as Kenyan Solomon Too clocked 20:42.37 to outrun 2009 winner Tim Morgan of South Plainfield and 1193 other finishers. The women also had a first time winner as 19 year old Dana Guglielmo of Basking Ridge ran 25:16.26 to outpace Jessica Barr of Cranford. While race time temperatures were well over 80 degrees the humidity was manageable and the runners were also abetted by plentiful water, provided by the race and residents who lived on the race path, many of whom sprayed runners with hoses.

“It was warm but not the oppressive heat we have had in the past and not as bad as we are supposed to get later this week,” said fifth year race director Mike Rokicki.

“We are able to handle any kind of weather and we made sure that there was plenty of water on the course.”

The weather proved no problem to Too, who has a personal best of 2:20.45 for the marathon and used the race as mid-summer training run. Too broke away from the pack early and ran averaged 5:10 per mile.

“The weather was good for me. I am used to hot weather,” said Too.

Morgan out ran the chase pack that included third place finisher Joe Jacobs of Bloomingdale and 2006 Cranford graduate Kevin Brown. “I am okay with the race I ran. He went out faster than I wanted to and never gave us a chance to catch him,” said Morgan, who although 26 has completed the last 11 Firecracker races.

“It was a tradition I started when I was in high school and it is a lot of fun to come back to this race every year. It is a well organized race and has good refreshments,” said the razor thin Morgan, while enjoying post race ice cream, that was available to all participants.

Brown finished fourth in 21:26 and was also the top Cranford finisher. The top 20 also included three current and former Cougar runners. Rising junior Elias Howard was 13th in 22:55, 2005 graduate Brian Mahoney was 16th in 23:05 and 2010 graduate Jeff Sun was 20th in 23:33.

Guglielmo, who just completed her freshman season at the University of Richmond, ran the race for the first time and came away impressed.

“It is a fast flat course with a lot of shade. I definitely hope to come back and run this race in the future,” said Guglielmo, whose father and younger brother also competed.

Unlike Too, Guglielmo ran the race with different male competitors and was not certain that she was first until being told by volunteers at the three mile mark. Guglielmo finished her first college season competing in the 3000 meter steeplechase for the first time.

“I love the event. I am still learning to hurdle and get through the water barriers but it is such a fun and challenging race,” said Guglielmo.

Barr, a 2003 Cranford High School graduate, is one of the top distance runners in the area and also won her age group at the Rutgers half marathon in April. Among the other Cranford residents to win their age group was the amazing Kathy Calabretta, who ran 31:35 to win 60-64.

But beyond the winners were runners like John and Amy Montuori of Cranford, who have made the race a staple of their Independence Day schedule.

“I was only able to do the one mile fun run because of an injury but I am so thrilled that John ran his best time for the race. We are so lucky to have such a good race in our town,” said Amy Montuori.

Other popular activities at the race included free popcorn, yogurt and Good Humor ice cream. After a frenzied start early in the day when he seemed to be holding three conversations at once, Rokicki settled in and after the race could enjoy what was another successful race.

“We will have a post race meeting in a few weeks to go over what we did right and what we can improve on for the future. This race is always a work in progress and we will look to make changes if needed.” said Rokicki.