Community Corner

Morristown Runners Finish High in Beckert Memorial Run

About 170 people took part in the run June 2.

A total of 170 runners participated in the 10th Annual Bob Beckert Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk June 2 in honor of a Watchung graduate.

Bob Beckert was killed in an auto accident in 2004 and his friends and family believed a race and scholarship would be the best way honor his memory. Beckert was a graduate of Watchung Hills and was a member of the state championship cross country team.

According to a release from those running the event, the walk raises funds to support scholarships for graduating Watchung Hills Regional students.

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The Bob Beckert Memorial 5K Run is more than just an annual event for our family,” said Kristin Beckert, one Bob Beckert’s daughters, in the release. “It is an opportunity to celebrate our father’s memory with his family and friends as well as share a dear part of our life with those who did not have the chance to meet him. Giving back to the community is an important aspect of the race, as a sense of community was a great characteristic of our father. We hope to continue receiving the support of family, friends and the community who father annually to remember one of the greatest people you could ever know.”

The first to cross the finish line this year was Hillsborough resident Chris Heibell, 26, who won the run for the sixth time with a time of 15:52.5. Morganville resident Alexandra Salani, 26, was the top woman in the run, with a time of 20:05.0.

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The second place man was Warren resident Dylan Cabral, 17, who finished with 18:26.5, and Warren resident John Dardis, 14, finished third at 19:12.3.

For the women, Middlesex resident Nicolette Reilly, 18, came in second with a time of 20:15.5, and Millington resident Susan Kinsella, 49, finished third with a time of 20:24.6.

Several runners from Morristown placed high in their age categories. Here were the top runners in each age category:

14 and under males

  • John Dardis, 14, of Warren
  • Michael Erickson, 13, of Watchung
  • Gavin Van Skiver, 14, of Livingston
  • Nicholas Haines, 14, of Gillette
  • Dylan Braunstein, 9, of Warren

14 and under females

  • Olivia Braunstein, of Warren
  • Amanda DeParto

15 to 19 males

  • Dylan Cabral, of Watchung
  • James Shea, of Stamford, CT
  • Owen Whitely, of Watchung
  • Robert Hovanec, of Gillette
  • Brian Beckert, of Watchung
  • Sebastian Gallic, of Warren
  • Andrew Caola, of Bridgewater

15 to 19 females

  • Nicolette Reilly, of Middlesex
  • Madalyn Braunstein, of Watchung
  • Mollie Vaynstein, of Warren
  • Olivia Ciraulo, of Warren
  • Luzzy Carvalho, of Warren

20 to 29 males

  • Chris Heibell, of Hillsborough
  • Adam Cornelisse, of Warren
  • Greg Schneider, of San Francisco, CA
  • Chris Battipaglia, of Green Brook
  • Nicholas Ryan, of Bayside, NY
  • Stephen Rutledge, of Tuckahoe, NY
  • Ton Pangia, of New York, NY
  • Michael Buccarelli, of Watchung
  • Dennis Durkin, of New York, NY
  • Justin DiFranco, of Washington, D.C.

20 to 29 females

  • Alexandra Salani, of Morganville
  • Jamie Croucher, of Philadelphia, PA
  • Kim Hogan, of Colts Neck
  • Nicole Gilhuley, of Hoboken
  • Clare Ostrom, New York, NY
  • Mary Jane, Durkin, of Caldwell
  • Jamie Waryn, of Watchung
  • Laura Salton, of Somerset
  • Allie Lisiecki, of Bethlehem, PA
  • Lianne Lukban, of New York, NY

30 to 39 males

  • Adam Andrus, of Morristown
  • Viraj Kamatmhamai, of Morristown
  • Doug Kolody, of Sayreville

30 to 39 females

  • Tara Zimiliki, of Somerville
  • Laura Kenney, of Randolph
  • Paula Meronek, of Warren
  • Cynthia Grute, of New York, NY
  • Sonia Soim, of Morristown

40 to 49 males

  • Steve Marcus, of Springfield
  • Darren Braunstein, of Warren

40 to 49 females

  • Susan Kinsella, of Millington
  • Angela Lyuch, of Cranford
  • Mary Sok, of Montclair
  • Rachel Laiserin, of New York, NY
  • Patricia Rutledge, of Tuckahoe, NY
  • Vivian Boylan, of Dunellen
  • Yulgoo Lee, of Morristown
  • Pat Farrell, of Center Valley, PA
  • Kathleen Ciraulo, of Warren
  • Laura Novak, of Millington

50 to 59 males

  • Ed Halper, of Basking Ridge
  • Bill Gironda, of Smithtown, NY
  • Peter D’Angelo, of Warren
  • Paul Sieczka, of Berkeley Heights
  • David Kapilow, of Berkeley Heights
  • Rick Titus, of Warren
  • William Terens, of Scotch Plains
  • Don Conners, of Martinsville
  • David Chemidlin, of Watchung
  • Don Monetti, of Watchung

50 to 59 females

  • Mary Susan Wingate, of Fanwood
  • Rene Rovtar, of Basking Ridge
  • Judy Hogan, of Colts Neck
  • Cheryl Gatti, of Watchung
  • Janice Domiter, of Mendham
  • Kathy Haines, of Gillette
  • Mary Buccarelli, of Watchung
  • Lucina Celeste, of Watchung
  • Nancy Peer, of Watchung
  • Kelly Avenoso, of Bridgewater

60 to 69 males

  • Jim Frascella, of Stirling
  • Peter Warren, of Westfield
  • Charles Peer, of Warren
  • Thomas DiGanci, of Dunellen
  • Andrew George, of Morristown
  • Rich Van Doren, of Somerville
  • George Maddaloni, of Bridgewater
  • Tom Bruning, of Jersey City
  • Paul Busch, of Millington
  • Thomas Hrdina, of Ridgewood

60 to 69 females

  • Eileen Sullivan, of Edison

70 to 79 males

  • Bob Senyk, of Watchung

70 to 79 females

  • Kathleen Kavanagh, of Yonkers, NY

80 and over males

  • Donald Schneider, of Basking Ridge


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here