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Community Corner

Saturday-in-the-Park Women's 5K Challenges Local Athletes

The 19th annual event at Holmdel Park was held yesterday.

Youth was served at the 19th Annual Saturday-in-the-Park Women's 5k, hosted in Holmdel Park by the Jersey Shore Running Club.

Fourteen-year-old Briana Gess bolted to an immediate lead that she extended to over two minutes by the time she finished at 19:08.

Eleven of the top 15 finishers were 16 or younger, including 11-year-old Jerika Lufrano, who finished 5th.

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The first finisher over 17 was Lauren Rhatigan (age 48) who came in 4th.

The only other "adult" in the top 15 was Briana's mother, Pamela, who finished 7th, giving them the prize for top mother-daughter.

Race conditions were humid and warm, particularly in the sun. One runner collapsed only a minute into the race and was treated by medical personnel.

Numerous teams and groups participated, including Holmdel High School's girls soccer team. For over 12 years, coach Jennifer Conroy has used the race as a fitness test/tune-up for the fall  soccer season, and this year the team took second place in the Girls Team Challenge division.

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Another Holmdel resident, Candace Wolkovitz, finished second in her age group.

Nationally ranked racewalker Panse Geer of Hazlet, also finished first in her age group, racewalking the entire way.

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