Oz Pearlman of New York successfully defended his men’s title and Rachel Clattenburg of Washington, D.C., claimed victory in the women’s competition at the 18th Annual Novo Nordisk New Jersey Marathon, presented by Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company (NYSE: LTM), today on a sunny, breezy morning at the Jersey Shore. The win marked the fourth in four tries in this race for Pearlman, who also won in 2008, 2011 and 2012.
Pearlman, 31, completed the course in 2:29, outpacing the field by more than five minutes. Clattenburg, 30, was even more dominant on the women’s side, finishing in 2:57:58 to win by more than 12 minutes over the closes competitor. In the Long Branch Half Marathon, Tim Seeley, 29, of Conshohocken, Pa., (1:13:28) and Dactilia Booth, 37, of Long Branch (1:24:00), were the men’s and women’s winners, respectively.
Two New Jersey athletes won the women’s divisions of the wheel events, with Maria Bournias, 37, of Fort Lee, N.J. in the marathon at 2:51:57 and Lois Hamilton, 64, of Oak Ridge completing the half in 2:01:15.
Thousands of runners competed in the Novo Nordisk New Jersey Marathon and Long Branch Half Marathon and Half Marathon relay. The signature races capped a weekend which included The New Jersey Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, Barnabas Health Family Festival and Kids Races, food and shoe drives, and a variety of family-friendly events for all ages and fitness levels.
“The course was a lot windier this year,” said Pearlman, a professional magician who flashed four aces upon breaking the tape. “My effort was the same but with the wind, I was a bit behind my pace. But there was great support and I love this course and New Jersey!”
“The course was fun,” said Clattenburg, who ran the New Jersey Marathon for the first time. “There were really nice cheers all along the way. Everyone was really enthusiastic, and it was fun doubling back across the runners coming the other way being so supportive of each other.”
The Novo Nordisk New Jersey Marathon, produced and presented by Life Time, which recently acquired US Road Sports, began inside Monmouth Park in Oceanport and finished on the Long Branch Oceanfront Promenade, north of Pier Village. It also ran through the diverse neighborhoods and business districts of Monmouth Beach, Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbour, Asbury Park and Ocean Grove.
2014 New Jersey Marathon
Men
1. Oz Pearlman, 31, New York, 2:29:24
2. Steve Slaby, 33, Virginia Beach, Va. 2:34:57
3. Steven Monteleone, 24, Berkeley Heights, NJ, 2:39:01
Women
1. Rachel Clattenburg, 30, Washington, D.C., 2:57:58
2. Sara Belles, Brookfield, Conn., 3:10:01
3. Heather Wesolovski, 31, Astoria, NY, 3:13:57
Wheel
Men
1. Ricardo Corral, 53, East Elmhurst, N.Y., 1:44:39
2. Carlos Guzman, 66, Corona, N.Y., 1:45:36
3. Kevin Gnehm, 26, Midland Park, N.J., 1:48:43
Women
1. Maria Bournias, 37, Fort Lee, N.J., 2:51:57
2014 Long Branch Half Marathon
Men
1. Tim Seeley, 20, Conshohocken, Pa., 1:13:28
2. Jeremias Saloj, 26, Freehold, N.J., 1:15:12
3. Kevin Cherette, 19, Forked River, N.J., 1:17:13
Women
1. Dactilia Booth, 37, Long Branch, N.J., 1:24:00
2. Kiera Delaurier, 33, Clearwater, Fla., 1:24:12
3. Meagan Drapkin, 29, Brick, N.J., 1:26:50
Wheel
Women
1. Lois Hamilton, 64, Oak Ridge, N.J., 2:01:15