Ashenfelter 8K was well run, injury free, and cold

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — With race-time temperatures hovering in the teens, the annual Ashenfelter 8K and Tom Fleming Mile were run Thursday, Nov. 22, with diminished fields because of no-shows. Race director Daniel Murphy said there were 2,500 finishers for the 8K race with 618 no-shows. For the mile, 387 runners finished, with 182 no-shows.

According to The Weather Channel website, it was the coldest Thanksgiving since 1901 with NYC temperatures dipping to 15 degrees and 20 mile-per-hour gusts making it feel like 10 degrees.

Regardless of the cold, the 2017 winner in the 8K, Morgan Pearson, of New Vernon, repeated with a time of 24:36.88. In second place was Aaron Leskow, of Morristown, 24:58.25; third place, Justin Scheid, of Succasunna, 25:02.33; and fourth place, Kyle Price, Milltown, 25:11.04. The top female runner was Shelby Goose, of Englewood, 31st overall in 27:26.75. She was followed closely by the second female finisher, Amanda Marion, Asbury Park, 33rd overall in 27:28.55. The third woman to finish was Nicolette Mateescu, of Kendall Park, 50th overall in 28:09.41. Roberta Groner, of East Ledgewood, 51st overall, ran a 28:10.91.

The mile was won by Liam Cunningham, West Orange, 4:40.56. The top female was Nova Roman, Haddonfield, 5:59.75. The top Glen Ridge male and female runners in the 8K were Pelle Nogueira, 47th overall, 28:00.20, and Chrissa Thurman, 242 overall, in 35:58.72. The top three male and female finishers each received $150. The top 100 male and female finishers received a commemorative mug.

Next year will be the 20th anniversary of the Ashenfelter 8K race. It is named after the former Olympian steeplechase champion and borough resident who died earlier this year at the age of 94. Murphy said a non-scored 5K walk may be instituted next year.

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