DeMonico second at Born to Run five-miler

CHRIS KELLY staff South River’s Dave DeMonico races to the finish of Friday’s Born to Run race in Freehold Borough.

Rob DeFilippis derailed the Dave DeMonico express.DeFilippis, the head coach of the Red Bank Catholic boys cross country team, won Friday’s 21st annual Born to Run Five-Mile Run through the streets of Freehold Borough, beating six-time champion Dave DeMonico, of South River, along the way.

On the women’s side, former champion Madelyn Schlentz, of Freehold Borough, ran off with the top honors.

DeFilippis, who lives in Tinton Falls, toured the course that starts and finishes on Court Street in 26:01 in winning his first Born to Run title.

Finishing second was Eric Egenolf in 26:27. Egenolf now lives in Silver Springs, Md., but was a high school star at Freehold Borough. He was racing over many of the roads he trained on in high school.

DeMonico, the six-time champion, made a strong bid for No. 7, finishing third in 27:07. He was just ahead of Mike O’Flaherty, of Freehold Borough (27:31), who just completed his freshman cross country season at West Virginia Wesleyan. Fifth place went to current Marlboro High star Scott Cohen, who ran 29:12.

Perhaps the most impressive performance of the day went to 50-year-old Chris Peters, of Barnegat, who was sixth (29:33). Peters has run in 20 of the 21 Born to Races and has finished in the top 10 every time. His consistency makes him the Cal Ripken of the race.

Rounding out the Top 10 were: Jim Curran, Hazlet (29:43); Chris Davis, Freehold (29:50); Ryan McGrath, Baltimore, Md. (29:55); and Neil Van Aartrijk, Monmouth Junction (30:00).

Schlentz, who has set American Masters records in track, clipped off miles at a 6:00 clip in capturing the women’s title in 30:12. She finished 13th overall and more than one minute up on runner-up Ali Belicose, of Red Bank, who posted a 31:31. The former Red Bank Catholic star was 23rd overall. Colts Neck’s Ann O’Dowd was third (33:27). Rounding out the top five for the women were Maggie Freeman, a Manalapan police officer from Sea Girt (34:11), and Elie Siev, of Manalapan (34:38).

Completing the Top 10 were: Pam Spadola, Howell (34:45); Jennifer Gunn, Aberdeen (35:19); Laura Deykerhoff, Little Silver (36:12); Justine Perlberg, Pine Beach (36:15); and Erica Weitz, Morganville (36:16).

Art Glass, of Red Bank, was the swiftest racewalker at the event winning in 54:26. Spring Lake’s Ted Freeman was second (59:48).

Monroe’s Cori Sanchez was the first female across the line clocking 1:02:02. She was third overall. Fourth place went to Cindy McCarthy, of Freehold (1:03:40), and fifth place to the 71-year-old former U.S. Olympian Elliott Denman, of West Long Branch, (1:04:25).

This year’s race, sponsored by United Mobile Homes Inc. and Monmouth Real Estate & Investment Corp. and run with the cooperation of the Freehold Area Running Club, drew another strong field with 488 finishers who braved the very cold temperatures.