October 29, 2023, Logan Township, NJ: Almost race time! Shore AC harriers enjoy some camaraderie before getting down to work. Stretched out in front: Henry Notaro. Kneeling, left to right: John Delaney, Maureen Massell, Andrew Yearsley, Alysia Puma, Donna Grocki and Scott Linnell. Standing, left to right: Dan Campbell, Joe Maranzani, Mike McHale, Laura Delea, Reno Stirrat, Joey Gambescia, Bob Shields and Suzanne La Burt. Busy elsewhere: Kim Anicito, Amanda Eller, Miles Hersey and Susan Stirrat.
Shore AC Results for the 2023 USATF-NJ 8K XC Race
Race date: October 29, 2023 Full results from CompuScore
Link to the race web site.
Link to a combined set of pictures by Laura Delea and Reno Stirrat.
SHORE AC TEAM RESULTS:
Open Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" OPEN MEN 20
1.Joe Maranzani Hawthorne,NJ 46 M 36 86 U 281 29:35.32*
2.Henry Notaro Northfield,NJ 61 M 36 86 U 266 29:41.25*
3.Joey Gambescia Big Sky,MT 50 M 36 136 U 300 30:04.42*
6.Daniel Campbell Middletown,NJ 49 M 36 86 U 306 32:46.43*
8.Miles Hersey Hazlet,NJ 61 M 36 186 U 277 33:52.55*
9.Andrew Yearsley Holland,PA 43 M 36 86 U 302 34:39.28
11.John Delaney Toms River,NJ 54 M 36 136 U 271 35:36.44
40+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 40 15
1.Joe Maranzani Hawthorne,NJ 46 M 36 86 U 281 29:35.32*
2.Henry Notaro Northfield,NJ 61 M 36 86 U 266 29:41.25*
3.Daniel Campbell Middletown,NJ 49 M 36 86 U 306 32:46.43*
4.Andrew Yearsley Holland,PA 43 M 36 86 U 302 34:39.28*
5.Robert Shields Parsippany,NJ 55 M 86 136 U 282 35:20.53*
6.Michael Mchale Belmar,NJ 72 M 86 186 U 255 39:55.78
50+ Men:
x SHORE AC "A" MEN 50 xx (INCOMPLETE TEAM)
x.Joey Gambescia Big Sky,MT 50 M 36 136 U 300 30:04.42
x.Robert Shields Parsippany,NJ 55 M 86 136 U 282 35:20.53
x.John Delaney Toms River,NJ 54 M 36 136 U 271 35:36.44
x.Scott Linnell Colts Neck,NJ 67 M 136 186 U 299 36:22.70
60+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 60 10
1.Miles Hersey Hazlet,NJ 61 M 36 186 U 277 33:52.55*
4.Scott Linnell Colts Neck,NJ 67 M 136 186 U 299 36:22.70*
5.Michael Mchale Belmar,NJ 72 M 86 186 U 255 39:55.78
Open Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" OPEN WOM 21
1.Amanda Eller Woodbine,NJ 32 F 336 U 279 31:03.88*
2.Suzanne La Burt Greenwood Lake,NY 60 F 336 486 U 258 32:18.36*
5.Alysia Puma Flemington,NJ 51 F 336 386 U 276 36:17.56*
6.Laura Delea Allamuchy,NJ 58 F 336 386 U 265 36:20.34*
7.Maureen Massell Red Bank,NJ 55 F 336 386 U 305 37:20.79*
8.Donna Grocki Hammonton,NJ 64 F 336 486 U 267 38:12.49
9.Kim Anicito Parlin,NJ 44 F 336 386 U 280 38:40.17
40+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOM 40 10
2.Alysia Puma Flemington,NJ 51 F 336 386 U 276 36:17.56*
3.Laura Delea Allamuchy,NJ 58 F 336 386 U 265 36:20.34*
5.Maureen Massell Red Bank,NJ 55 F 336 386 U 305 37:20.79*
8.Kim Anicito Parlin,NJ 44 F 336 386 U 280 38:40.17
9.Susan Stirrat Rockaway,NJ 68 F 386 486 U 257 42:10.59
50+ Women:
(no team)
60+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOM 60 6
1.Suzanne La Burt Greenwood Lake,NY 60 F 336 486 U 258 32:18.36*
2.Donna Grocki Hammonton,NJ 64 F 336 486 U 267 38:12.49*
3.Susan Stirrat Rockaway,NJ 68 F 386 486 U 257 42:10.59*
Link to the race web site.
Link to a combined set of pictures by Laura Delea and Reno Stirrat.
SHORE AC TEAM RESULTS:
Open Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" OPEN MEN 20
1.Joe Maranzani Hawthorne,NJ 46 M 36 86 U 281 29:35.32*
2.Henry Notaro Northfield,NJ 61 M 36 86 U 266 29:41.25*
3.Joey Gambescia Big Sky,MT 50 M 36 136 U 300 30:04.42*
6.Daniel Campbell Middletown,NJ 49 M 36 86 U 306 32:46.43*
8.Miles Hersey Hazlet,NJ 61 M 36 186 U 277 33:52.55*
9.Andrew Yearsley Holland,PA 43 M 36 86 U 302 34:39.28
11.John Delaney Toms River,NJ 54 M 36 136 U 271 35:36.44
40+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 40 15
1.Joe Maranzani Hawthorne,NJ 46 M 36 86 U 281 29:35.32*
2.Henry Notaro Northfield,NJ 61 M 36 86 U 266 29:41.25*
3.Daniel Campbell Middletown,NJ 49 M 36 86 U 306 32:46.43*
4.Andrew Yearsley Holland,PA 43 M 36 86 U 302 34:39.28*
5.Robert Shields Parsippany,NJ 55 M 86 136 U 282 35:20.53*
6.Michael Mchale Belmar,NJ 72 M 86 186 U 255 39:55.78
50+ Men:
x SHORE AC "A" MEN 50 xx (INCOMPLETE TEAM)
x.Joey Gambescia Big Sky,MT 50 M 36 136 U 300 30:04.42
x.Robert Shields Parsippany,NJ 55 M 86 136 U 282 35:20.53
x.John Delaney Toms River,NJ 54 M 36 136 U 271 35:36.44
x.Scott Linnell Colts Neck,NJ 67 M 136 186 U 299 36:22.70
60+ Men:
1 SHORE AC "A" MEN 60 10
1.Miles Hersey Hazlet,NJ 61 M 36 186 U 277 33:52.55*
4.Scott Linnell Colts Neck,NJ 67 M 136 186 U 299 36:22.70*
5.Michael Mchale Belmar,NJ 72 M 86 186 U 255 39:55.78
Open Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" OPEN WOM 21
1.Amanda Eller Woodbine,NJ 32 F 336 U 279 31:03.88*
2.Suzanne La Burt Greenwood Lake,NY 60 F 336 486 U 258 32:18.36*
5.Alysia Puma Flemington,NJ 51 F 336 386 U 276 36:17.56*
6.Laura Delea Allamuchy,NJ 58 F 336 386 U 265 36:20.34*
7.Maureen Massell Red Bank,NJ 55 F 336 386 U 305 37:20.79*
8.Donna Grocki Hammonton,NJ 64 F 336 486 U 267 38:12.49
9.Kim Anicito Parlin,NJ 44 F 336 386 U 280 38:40.17
40+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOM 40 10
2.Alysia Puma Flemington,NJ 51 F 336 386 U 276 36:17.56*
3.Laura Delea Allamuchy,NJ 58 F 336 386 U 265 36:20.34*
5.Maureen Massell Red Bank,NJ 55 F 336 386 U 305 37:20.79*
8.Kim Anicito Parlin,NJ 44 F 336 386 U 280 38:40.17
9.Susan Stirrat Rockaway,NJ 68 F 386 486 U 257 42:10.59
50+ Women:
(no team)
60+ Women:
1 SHORE AC "A" WOM 60 6
1.Suzanne La Burt Greenwood Lake,NY 60 F 336 486 U 258 32:18.36*
2.Donna Grocki Hammonton,NJ 64 F 336 486 U 267 38:12.49*
3.Susan Stirrat Rockaway,NJ 68 F 386 486 U 257 42:10.59*
Amanda Eller guns for the finish as 1st place female in 31:03. Pictures here by Reno Stirrat.
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Suzanne La Burt and Joan Totaro (Bella) battle shoulder to shoulder to the finish, each 32:18.
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Joe Maranzani flies down the final straightaway towards a #2 overall finish in 29:35.
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Henry Notaro puts the pedal to the metal to snare #3 overall in 29:41 and top AG: 87.68%.
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Shore AC Goes the Distance to, and at, the USATF-NJ 8K XC Race
Many decades ago, when cigarette advertisements were allowed on television, one such ad proclaimed, "I'd walk a mile for a Camel." While we can celebrate the banning of such ads, that sentiment of willingness to endure pain for a reward is noble. The same spirit inspired the noble runners who drove all the way to south Jersey for the USATF-NJ 8K Cross Country race on October 29. For some, it took well more than 2 hours in one direction. Owing perhaps to the long distance, only 61 athletes showed. Thankfully for us, nearly a third of the intrepid travelers were members of Shore Athletic Club. There's team dedication for you!
Having successfully endured the long trip, our Shore AC harriers proceeded to light up the course with outstanding performances. Thanks to a bevy of superb individual accomplishments, every one of our 7 complete teams won.
Let's begin our accounting of these heroics with the ladies. Our age 60+ crew got things sizzling with their 1-2-3 score. Leading the charge was the indomitable Suzanne La Burt. Suzanne and Joan Totaro of Bella 'N Motion fought a battle royal throughout the race, right down to a photo finish. Given that Joan is only 51, she did not affect 60+ team results. Suzanne nailed the #1 score for 60+ by a mile with her scorching 32:18. In the process, she nailed top age grading in the race with a stunning 93.17% -- on a cross country course, no less! Shore AC's W60+ hit parade continued with Donna Grocki as #2 in a magnificent time of 38:12. Donna's corresponding age grading, a whopping 82.95%, placed third among all women in the race. Team scoring was completed when repeat USATF Masters National W65-69 National Champion Susan Stirrat crossed the timing strip in 42:10. Susan achieved the fifth highest age grading among women with a stellar 79.33%. Well done, ladies!
For strategic purposes, we decided prior to the race not to enter a women's 50+ team. (More on that below.) Thus, we come to our women's 40+ team. Pre-race prognostications favored Bella in this age group. But thanks to some gutsy running by our ladies, Shore AC reigned supreme! Alysia Puma set the pace for our 40+ squadron with her rock-solid 36:17. That earned the team a score of 2, with Joan Totaro having already grabbed 1 for Bella's 40+ team. In a dramatic display of fortitude, 58-yea-old Laura Delea followed in Alysia's footsteps the entire way through the 8-kilometer course despite a persistent cough. Laura's time of 36:20 translated to a phenomenal 80.81% age grading, good for fourth among women. It also delivered the 3 score to Shore AC, as Laura finished 23 seconds ahead of Bella's #2 runner Mercedes Wall. At this point, Bella held a 1-point lead with 5 points to our 6. The race would be decided by the #3 runners. Fortunately for Shore AC, our rookie sensation Maureen Massell came through! Maureen sped over the rolling trails in a marvelous time of 37:20 to best Bella's Karen Carlton by 11 seconds. That gave the Shore AC ladies a total of 10 points. That was good enough to edge Bella (11) by a single point. Shore AC's Kim Anicito ran a strong 38:40 to provide ever-important insurance along with Stirrat. Congratulations to our 40+ ladies on a dramatic win!
What about the Shore AC Women's Open team, you ask? As mentioned above, we chose not to enter a 50+ enter and instead fortify our Open team to ensure that it had plenty of backup runners. Why? Because a $400 travel stipend to the USATF National Club XC Championships was potentially at stake. The strategy paid off. Our Open team won handily. Spearheading the Shore AC surge was superstar Amanda Eller. She led the entire way and punctuated her victorious time of 31:03 with a winning margin of more than 1 minute. Behind Amanda, Shore AC's La Burt, Puma, Delea and Massell went 2-5-6-7 to accumulate an excellent team score of 21. Grocki and Anicito provided backup to ensure that the team would prevail. Well done, ladies!
Having successfully endured the long trip, our Shore AC harriers proceeded to light up the course with outstanding performances. Thanks to a bevy of superb individual accomplishments, every one of our 7 complete teams won.
Let's begin our accounting of these heroics with the ladies. Our age 60+ crew got things sizzling with their 1-2-3 score. Leading the charge was the indomitable Suzanne La Burt. Suzanne and Joan Totaro of Bella 'N Motion fought a battle royal throughout the race, right down to a photo finish. Given that Joan is only 51, she did not affect 60+ team results. Suzanne nailed the #1 score for 60+ by a mile with her scorching 32:18. In the process, she nailed top age grading in the race with a stunning 93.17% -- on a cross country course, no less! Shore AC's W60+ hit parade continued with Donna Grocki as #2 in a magnificent time of 38:12. Donna's corresponding age grading, a whopping 82.95%, placed third among all women in the race. Team scoring was completed when repeat USATF Masters National W65-69 National Champion Susan Stirrat crossed the timing strip in 42:10. Susan achieved the fifth highest age grading among women with a stellar 79.33%. Well done, ladies!
For strategic purposes, we decided prior to the race not to enter a women's 50+ team. (More on that below.) Thus, we come to our women's 40+ team. Pre-race prognostications favored Bella in this age group. But thanks to some gutsy running by our ladies, Shore AC reigned supreme! Alysia Puma set the pace for our 40+ squadron with her rock-solid 36:17. That earned the team a score of 2, with Joan Totaro having already grabbed 1 for Bella's 40+ team. In a dramatic display of fortitude, 58-yea-old Laura Delea followed in Alysia's footsteps the entire way through the 8-kilometer course despite a persistent cough. Laura's time of 36:20 translated to a phenomenal 80.81% age grading, good for fourth among women. It also delivered the 3 score to Shore AC, as Laura finished 23 seconds ahead of Bella's #2 runner Mercedes Wall. At this point, Bella held a 1-point lead with 5 points to our 6. The race would be decided by the #3 runners. Fortunately for Shore AC, our rookie sensation Maureen Massell came through! Maureen sped over the rolling trails in a marvelous time of 37:20 to best Bella's Karen Carlton by 11 seconds. That gave the Shore AC ladies a total of 10 points. That was good enough to edge Bella (11) by a single point. Shore AC's Kim Anicito ran a strong 38:40 to provide ever-important insurance along with Stirrat. Congratulations to our 40+ ladies on a dramatic win!
What about the Shore AC Women's Open team, you ask? As mentioned above, we chose not to enter a 50+ enter and instead fortify our Open team to ensure that it had plenty of backup runners. Why? Because a $400 travel stipend to the USATF National Club XC Championships was potentially at stake. The strategy paid off. Our Open team won handily. Spearheading the Shore AC surge was superstar Amanda Eller. She led the entire way and punctuated her victorious time of 31:03 with a winning margin of more than 1 minute. Behind Amanda, Shore AC's La Burt, Puma, Delea and Massell went 2-5-6-7 to accumulate an excellent team score of 21. Grocki and Anicito provided backup to ensure that the team would prevail. Well done, ladies!
Kim Anicito motors along to 38:40.
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Donna Grocki digs deep for a 38:12.
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Maureen Massell delivers in 37:20.
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Alysia Puma pounds out a 36:17.
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Susan Stirrat strides towards 42:10.
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Okay, you say, the Shore AC women ran great! But what about the Shore AC men? Well, there's drama and glory to recount, so please read on!
Potential disaster struck early for the Shore AC 60+ men's troupe. Not far into the race, longtime ace Reno Stirrat dropped out due to shooting leg pain. Teammate Scott Linnell was crestfallen, as he assumed we no longer had the minimum of 3 for a complete 60+ team. You see, while standing on the starting line, I had looked in vain for new member Miles Hersey and assumed that he couldn't attend the race. Thankfully, Miles *DID* make it! Not only that, Miles ran a terrific race, crossing in a fast 33:52 to lead the 60+ team. After Scott finished in 36:22, veteran Mike McHale made his triumphant return to racing after a 5-year hiatus by clocking 39:55. The best news? Mike's testy knee held up just fine! (Mike had injured it in a nasty fall in the soggy 2019 USATF National Club XC Championships at Lehigh University.) Thanks to these mighty contributions, the Shore AC men's 60+ team conquered the competition.
As for the Shore AC men's 50+ team, although we declared one, we had insufficient finishers to reach the minimum of 5 for an officially scored team. Schedule conflicts and injuries will sometimes do that!
That brings us to our men's 40+ team. Though it faced no competition, we like to think that it would have proved tough to beat. Joe Maranzani pounded out the way, searing the grass with a scorching time of 29:35. Henry Notaro surfed deftly in Joe's wake, flipping a spectacular 29:41. That blazing time gave 61-year-old Henry the top age grading among men: a scintillating 87.68%! Rock-solid Dan Campbell became the team's #3 scorer when he tripped the timer in 32:46. We were delighted to welcome back Andrew Yearsley, who crossed in 34:39 to notch the #4 position on the team. Victory was sealed when Bob Shields hit paydirt in 35:20. McHale guaranteed team success as insurance runner.
Finally, we reach the Shore AC men's open team. Just as with the women, a $400 travel stipend to Club XC Nationals was potentially on the line. We were determined to win, even if our team consisted entirely of masters-age (40+) runners. With Maranzani and Notaro hammering out the #1 and #2 scoring positions, we got off to a rocketing start in the open competition. Daredevil snowboarder Joey Gambescia carved up the course like it was champagne powder, laying fresh tracks in 30:04 to add a superb 3 to the team's score. Though Raritan Valley grabbed the #4 and #5 spots, Campbell notched #6 and Hersey #8 to complete a dominant victory for Shore AC. Our 20 total points prevailed over RVRR's 38 points. Yearsley and John Delaney (35:36) provided impenetrable protection as key backup runners. Kudos to this magnificent team for a job well done!
Potential disaster struck early for the Shore AC 60+ men's troupe. Not far into the race, longtime ace Reno Stirrat dropped out due to shooting leg pain. Teammate Scott Linnell was crestfallen, as he assumed we no longer had the minimum of 3 for a complete 60+ team. You see, while standing on the starting line, I had looked in vain for new member Miles Hersey and assumed that he couldn't attend the race. Thankfully, Miles *DID* make it! Not only that, Miles ran a terrific race, crossing in a fast 33:52 to lead the 60+ team. After Scott finished in 36:22, veteran Mike McHale made his triumphant return to racing after a 5-year hiatus by clocking 39:55. The best news? Mike's testy knee held up just fine! (Mike had injured it in a nasty fall in the soggy 2019 USATF National Club XC Championships at Lehigh University.) Thanks to these mighty contributions, the Shore AC men's 60+ team conquered the competition.
As for the Shore AC men's 50+ team, although we declared one, we had insufficient finishers to reach the minimum of 5 for an officially scored team. Schedule conflicts and injuries will sometimes do that!
That brings us to our men's 40+ team. Though it faced no competition, we like to think that it would have proved tough to beat. Joe Maranzani pounded out the way, searing the grass with a scorching time of 29:35. Henry Notaro surfed deftly in Joe's wake, flipping a spectacular 29:41. That blazing time gave 61-year-old Henry the top age grading among men: a scintillating 87.68%! Rock-solid Dan Campbell became the team's #3 scorer when he tripped the timer in 32:46. We were delighted to welcome back Andrew Yearsley, who crossed in 34:39 to notch the #4 position on the team. Victory was sealed when Bob Shields hit paydirt in 35:20. McHale guaranteed team success as insurance runner.
Finally, we reach the Shore AC men's open team. Just as with the women, a $400 travel stipend to Club XC Nationals was potentially on the line. We were determined to win, even if our team consisted entirely of masters-age (40+) runners. With Maranzani and Notaro hammering out the #1 and #2 scoring positions, we got off to a rocketing start in the open competition. Daredevil snowboarder Joey Gambescia carved up the course like it was champagne powder, laying fresh tracks in 30:04 to add a superb 3 to the team's score. Though Raritan Valley grabbed the #4 and #5 spots, Campbell notched #6 and Hersey #8 to complete a dominant victory for Shore AC. Our 20 total points prevailed over RVRR's 38 points. Yearsley and John Delaney (35:36) provided impenetrable protection as key backup runners. Kudos to this magnificent team for a job well done!
Dan Campbell speeds to a 32:46.
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John Delaney grinding out a 35:36.
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Joey Gambescia ripping his 30:04.
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Scott Linnell holds on in 36:22.
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Mike McHale tests the knee in 39:55.
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Bob Shields hits his stride in 35:20.
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Andrew Yearsley rolling towards 34:39.
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SHORE AC INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:
We're always proud when Shore AC athletes earn top-3 honors in USATF-NJ team championship races. So, shout out congratulations for these studs!
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
Stomp the stadium bleachers for these top-3 age group finishers from Shore Athletic Club!
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
We're always proud when Shore AC athletes earn top-3 honors in USATF-NJ team championship races. So, shout out congratulations for these studs!
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
- Amanda Eller 32 1st F Overall 31:03 76.59%
- Joe Maranzani 46 2nd M Overall 29:35 77.38%
- Suzanne La Burt 60 3rd F Overall 32:18 93.17% <== #1 age grading among all finishers
- Henry Notaro 61 3rd M Overall 29:41 87.68% <== #1 age grading among all male finishers
Stomp the stadium bleachers for these top-3 age group finishers from Shore Athletic Club!
Name Age Place Time Age Grading
- Andrew Yearsley 43 2nd M40-44 34:39 64.52%
- Kim Anicito 44 1st F40-44 38:40 65.23%
- Daniel Campbell 49 1st M45-49 32:46 71.59%
- Joey Gambescia 50 1st M50-54 30:04 78.66%
- John Delaney 54 3rd M50-54 35:36 68.72%
- Alysia Puma 51 1st F50-54 36:17 74.54%
- Robert Shields 55 1st M55-59 35:20 69.84%
- Laura Delea 58 1st F55-59 36:20 80.81%
- Maureen Massell 55 2nd F55-59 37:20 75.86%
- Miles Hersey 61 2nd M60-64 33:52 76.85%
- Donna Grocki 64 1st F60-64 38:12 82.95% <== #3 age grading among all female finishers
- Scott Linnell 67 2nd M65-69 36:22 75.71%
- Susan Stirrat 68 1st F65-69 42:10 79.33%
- Michael McHale 72 2nd M70-74 39:55 72.76%
October 29, 2023, Logan Township, NJ: Let the cooldown run begin! Front two, left to right: Alysia Puma and Joey Gambescia. Back row, left to right: Henry Notaro, one of Henry's two daughters, Donna Grocki and friend (and #1 overall finisher) Eddie Ross.
