2011 firecracker 4 Mile

            It was hot and sticky in Cranford on July 4 which is not surprising but wasn’t enough to keep over 1200 people away and made the 32nd annual Firecracker Four Mile Run a day to remember for the participants and most notably first year race director Jerry Iacovano. The 1246 finishers was a modest increase over the 1196 finishers in 2010 and was abetted by a huge walkup registration, including a large number of young children who competed in the one mile fun run.

“The weather was pretty much what you expect for July 4 but we have learned throughout the years here how to prepare for just about any kind of weather,” said Iacovano.

“Although we haven’t counted everything yet, it appears that the race was a huge success in every way possible,” said Iacovano.

            With defending champion Solomon Too skipping the race, former Chatham High School star Ben Massam 23 of Chatham had an easy time capturing his first title in 19:56.30. Massam pulled away from 22 year old Stephen Mennitt of Edison at the midway point tried his best to maintain an even pace.

“I have tried to stay in good shape after a tough college season,” said Massam, who completed a fine college career at William and Mary.

“I am pleased to run under 5 minute pace on such a hot day.”

            The women’s winner was 25 year old Cat Beck of Highland Park who ran 24:15 to beat former Mount Saint Mary’s star Caroline Williams of Westfield who ran 24:47. The third place finisher, 26 year old Jessica Barr of Cranford was also the top town female finisher. Barr, a former track and cross country star at Cranford under legendary coach Ray White now competes for the New York Road Runners and also works in Manhattan. She is training to run the New York Marathon in November.

“It was very hot out there but I tried to run controlled and was happy with my performance,” said Barr.

            Like Barr, men’s Cranford winner Brian Mahoney also was a Cranford cross country star for White, works in Manhattan, has red hair and is planning to run the New York Marathon, but unlike Barr is an identical twin to brother Kevin, who missed the race with an injury, Mahoney, who also attended William and Mary has been running the race for nearly half of his life and considers it a great way to start Independence Day.

“It is nice that Cranford has such a good tradition on the fourth of July,” said Mahoney, whose older brother Patrick also ran the race.

            But beyond the winners are the majority of runners, who don’t win any prize but have a myriad of reasons for running and often conduct their miniature competitions, often with themselves. An annual highlight at the race is 42 year old David Kother of Scotch Plains, who finished in 40:46 while pushing his two young children in a jog stroller and wearing a large red white and blue Uncle Sam hat. Despite a recently curtailed training schedule, Kother was able to get through the race which has become a yearly event for the Linden detective.

“I wouldn’t think of missing this race. The kids really enjoy it and it’s a fun way to celebrate Independence Day,” said Kother, who added a new member to his family with the birth of his fourth child, daughter Naomi on Wednesday June 29.

“She was a little too young to be out here today but maybe she will be ready for Westfield in a few weeks.”

            55 year old Don Hessemer of Fanwood has been a regular at the race for the past twenty years and while he has run faster than he did on Monday, he was pleased with his 31:56.50 performance that placed him 299^th.

“I paced myself in the heat and ran each mile faster. At my age I have to try and run as smart as possible.”

            Another 55 year old John Montuori of Cranford, a more recent convert to running, ran the Firecracker for the fourth straight year and maintained a sub nine minute pace in the heat.

“It’s easy to get to the race and we see so many people we know. It’s a good start to the day,” said Montuori.

Former Race Director Art Bilenker, a Jaycee and race benefactor once again held court after the race and gave out awards to runners who had the nicest abdominal muscles, had the worst race experience, 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.

            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 Iacovano.