Nearly 11,000 Compete In The New Jersey Marathon and Long Branch Half Marathon

NEW YORK, NY, May 07, 2013 (Press-News.org) Nearly 11,000 competitors ran, jogged, walked and wheeled their way through The New Jersey Marathon and Long Branch Half Marathon today on a cool, crisp, breezy morning down the Shore. Oz Pearlman, 30, of New York became the first three-time men's winner, nearly besting his own course record as he finished in 2:28:23, winning wire-to-wire by more than eight minutes over the field. Women's champion Elizabeth Drews, 43, of Warren, N.J., similarly coasted to a nearly five-minute victory, recording a time of 3:00:11 in the 17th running of the event.

Pearlman also won The New Jersey Marathon in 2008 and in 2011, when he set the course mark of 2:28:19. The New Jersey Marathon course wound its way through eight New Jersey shore towns in all, including the start at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, to Monmouth Beach, Deal, Allenhurst, Lock Arbour, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove and the finish along the Long Branch Promenade.

The Long Branch Half Marathon men's winner was Ryan Johns, 25, of Princeton, with a time of 1:09:43, edging two-time champion Craig Segal, 29, of Highlands, by under a minute. Johns also won the race in 2010. Erin Reddan, 25, of New York, took the women's race at 1:23:17, more than three minutes ahead of the field. Last year's half marathon winner and 2011 Marathon champion Bronawyn O'Leary, 37, of Cliffwood Beach, took fourth in the half today. The men's and women's wheel divisions were won by Mike Luciano, 29, of Edison, N.J., (1:32:19) and Lois Hamilton, 63, of Oak Ridge, N.J. (2:11:01), respectively.

"I had a tough mile 13 when I felt a pain in my side," said Pearlman, who has won The New Jersey Marathon all three times in which he has competed in the event. "But I ran through it and it was such a perfect day on a perfect course."

Echoing the sentiment of many, Pearlman added, "I also ran to support the shore and shore businesses, and to support the race."

"There was some wind and some changes on the course," said Drews, who finished second in last year's race. "But it felt similar to the past."

The event's theme was "Up and Running," highlighting the region's recovery from Superstorm Sandy in October, and which found additional meaning in the tragic events at the Boston Marathon a month ago. Many also participated on behalf of dozens of charities throughout the state and the country, raising thousands of dollars.

The New Jersey Marathon is owned by US Road Sports & Entertainment Group, which conducts road races nationwide. Major sponsors of the New Jersey Marathon include Barnabas Health, Investors Bank and United Healthcare.

2013 New Jersey Marathon and Long Branch Half Marathon
May 5, 2013

The New Jersey Marathon 26.2 miles
Men
1. Oz Pearlman, 30, New York, 2:28:23
2. Eddie Valentine, 33, Arlington, Va., 2:36:35
3. Joshua Korth, 25, New York, 2:39:24
4. Joseph Lesniak, 28, Point Pleasant, N.J., 2:39:35
5. Stephen Comanto, 24, Wyckoff, N.J., 2:41:13

Women
1. Elizabeth Drews, Warren, N.J., 3:00:11
2. Kari Smith, 31, New York, 3:04:59
3. Juliet Beatty, 37, Morristown, N.J., 3:06:01
4. Jaclyn Janicky, 21, Brick, N.J., 3:06:19
5. Kaitlyn Regan, 28, Woodbridge, Conn., 3:06:25

Long Branch Half Marathon 13.1 miles
Men
1. Ryan Johns, 25, Princeton, N.J., 1:09:43
2. Craig Segal, 29, Highlands, N.J., 1:10:29
3. Jose Espinal, 35, Santo Domingo, 1:14:47
4. William Washer, 26, Odgensburg, N.J., 1:15:02
5. Richard Velazquez, 32, New York, 1:16:28

Women
1. Erin Reddan, 25, New York, 1:23:17
2. Brianna Feerst, 19, Brick, N.J., 1:26:25
3. Stephanie Lasner, 27, New City, N.Y., 1:26:44
4. Bronawyn O'Leary, 37, Cliffwood Beach, N.J., 1:26:59
5. Danielle Kays, 38, Bel Air, Md., 1:27:56

Wheel-Men
1. Mike Luciano, 29, Edison, N.J., 1:32:19
2. Rob Leiser, 58, Easton, Pa., 1:55:03
3. Timothy O'Neill, Staten Island, N.Y., 2:13:02
4. Darren Templeton, 27, Kinnelon, N.J., 2:19:11

Wheel-Women
1. Lois Hamilton, 63, Oak Ridge, N.J., 2:11:01
2. Lisa Agudo, 47, Roseland, N.J., 2:22:14

Full results at: http://results.active.com/events/new-jersey-marathon-long-branch-half-marathon-and-half-marathon-relay--2/marathon

About US Road Sports & Entertainment Group
US Road Sports & Entertainment Group is a health and wellness company dedicated to the production of world-class endurance events. The mission of US Road Sports is to offer an unparalleled participant sports experience that showcases host communities and endures as a deeply valued local asset through events that are a part of the city's culture, identity and brand. For each participant, US Road Sports strives to offer events that allow participants of all skill levels the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health and accomplish life-altering goals while having fun. US Road Sports provides sponsors and municipalities highly effective exposure to help maximize their presence and message in the community.