August 18, 2024, Holmdel, NJ: A crowd awaits the lead runners in one of the nine heats at the Big Bang Mile.

Shore AC Results for the 2024 Big Bang Mile and Science Festival

Race date: August 18, 2024                                                  Full results from CompuScore
                                                                                             Link to the race web site.
                                                                                             Link to aerial video of Open Men and Open Women races, courtesy Brent Foytlin.
                                                                                             Link to photo album from Irie Vibes by Nicholas Reid.
                         
SHORE AC TEAM RESULTS:

Open Men:
​
  1     SHORE AC "A" OPEN MEN                     20:25.15 AVERAGE:   4:53.03
       2.Brian Hill                        Middletown,NJ           24 M   36          917    4:20.86*
     16.Edward Ross                 Mullica Hill,NJ            49 M   36          510    4:55.23*
     17.Mark Minervini               Stanhope,NJ              31 M   36          936    4:55.62*
     20.Marc Blanco                  West Long Branc,NJ   41 M   36          502    4:57.54*
     30.Henry Notaro                 Northfield,NJ              62 M   36          223    5:15.90*
     48.Christopher Moye                                           , 44 M  36     5   521     5:32.52
​
  5     SHORE AC "B" OPEN MEN                     29:14.98 AVERAGE:   5:50.00
     47.Chris Whitehead           Eatontown,NJ             42 M   37          512    5:31.88*
     60.Joseph Demetrick         Scotch Plains,NJ        53 M   37          407    5:49.46*
     68.Robert Shields              Parsippany,NJ            56 M   37          420    5:54.66*
     70.Timothy Horn                 Point Pleasant,NJ      48 M   37          517    5:55.62*
     79.Brian Hill                       Middletown,NJ            57 M   37          424    6:03.36*
     84.Carl Gensib                   Princeton,NJ              65 M   37          210    6:10.34
     87.John Delaney                Toms River,NJ            55 M   37          406    6:14.67
 
  6     SHORE AC "C" OPEN MEN                     34:27.67 AVERAGE:   6:53.53
     88.Michael Connolly           Ringoes,NJ                 63 M   38          237    6:14.90*
     90.Reno Stirrat                   Rockaway,NJ             70 M    38          228    6:20.33*
    101.Scott Linnell                 Colts Neck,NJ             68 M   38          221    6:38.07*
    118.Christopher Rinaldi       Berkeley Height,NJ     54 M   38          419    7:01.72*
    144.Robert O'rourke           Jackson,NJ                  81 M   38          225    8:12.65*

Open Women:

  2     SHORE AC "B" OPEN WOM                     37:46.03 AVERAGE:   7:33.21
    114.Diane Rothman             Leonardo,NJ              66 F  337          332    6:52.39*
    121.Debi Brathwaite            Garfield,NJ                 65 F  337          305    7:08.02*
    134.Kim Hart                       Belmar,NJ                   64 F  337        1007    7:40.73*
    137.Susan Stirrat                Rockaway,NJ              68 F 337           336    7:46.60*
    146.Luz Ravines                 Elizabeth,NJ               62 F 337           330    8:18.29*
 
***     SHORE AC "A" OPEN WOM                     24:41.96 AVERAGE:   4:56.39
     56.Karen Dos Santos         Belvidere,NJ               42 F  336          312    5:41.89*
     71.Suzanne La Burt           Greenwood Lake,NY   61 F  336          321    5:55.82*
     92.Karyn Baig                    Montclair,NJ                48 F  336        1010    6:23.03*
    107.Nora Cary                    Morristown,NJ             69 F  336          307    6:41.22*


*** YOUTH TEAM RESULTS ***

Middle School:

  1     SHORE AC GONE RUNNING                     19:08.18 AVERAGE:   6:22.73
     56.Karen Dos Santos         Belvidere,NJ               42 F  336          312    5:41.89*
     81.Joseph Girone              Manalapan,NJ             13 M   52          619    6:05.84*
     89.Madison Peck               Manchester Town,NJ   14 F   52           624    6:17.49*
    109.Caitlin Butch                Manalapan,NJ              12 F   52          602    6:44.85*
    110.Victoria Volosin             Englishtown,NJ            12 F   52  6      620    6:45.14
    117.Isabella Volosin            Englishtown,NJ            12 F   52  6       621    7:01.11

High School:

  1     SHORE AC GONE RUNNING                     15:50.64 AVERAGE:   5:16.88
     11.Clay Stevens                 Freehold,NJ                15 M   53          626    4:47.14*
     27.Matthew Butch              Englishtown,NJ            15 M   53          604    5:13.46*
     63.Madalyn Bacharde         Manalapan,NJ             17 F   53          610    5:50.04*
     85.Chloe Li                         Englishtown,NJ            17 F   53  6      611    6:11.09
     94.Eesha Mohan                Monroe Township,NJ    14 F   53  6      623    6:24.58
    133.Addison Ray                 Freehold,NJ                 14 F   53  6     1027    7:38.47

August 18, 2024, Holmdel, NJ: Shore AC's Reno Stirrat and Central Park Track Club's Ivy Bell stand at the entrance to Science Avenue at the 2024 Big Bang Mile and Science Festival.

Rescheduled Big Bang Mile Soars Over the Moon

The weather forecast had this race director trembling with fear for the past week.  Would a prediction of morning-long thunderstorms force us to cancel this year's Big Bang Mile and Science Festival after having already postponed it last month?  The prognostication varied from day to day, but always with thunderstorms in the picture.  But given the uncertainly in the forecast, Coach Joe and I decided to proceed.

It was the right call.  Though the day dawned ominously dark, only light sprinkles fell from the thick cloud deck.  All sprinkles stopped before the first race of the day: the Mary and John Saarmann Community and Youth Mile at 8:20 am.  From then on, clouds thinned and the sun gradually revealed itself.  And not a single clap of thunder interrupted our festivities.  We stayed on schedule and wrapped up by 12:00 noon.  What luck!  Thank you, Mother Nature!

​This fourth Big Bang Mile was our most lightly attended of all.  Only 168 runners completed the flat and fast course this year, compared to over 200 in each of the preceding 3 years.  One major reason for the low attendance was mid-August vacations, which kept away many who had signed up for the original date of July 13.  Also, being designated merely the Open Mile Team Championship race for USATF-NJ, rather than both Open and Masters, probably reduced our draw.  We can also blame a surging strain of COVID and the forecast for lousy weather.  But those who attended seemed to have a marvelous time!

August 18, 2024, Holmdel, NJ: An outstanding field of runners starts the ​​Hackensack Meridian Health Masters Women Mile at the Big Bang Mile and Science Festival.  Leading the race from left to right are Kate Babcock (bib #1004), Mary Vonckx, Perry Shoemaker (#346), Suzanne La Burt, Dianne DeOliveira (#1009), Karen Dos Santos (#312), Joan Totaro (#1011 and Mercedes Wall (#339).  The records-eligible course took harriers one-half mile out along the outer perimeter road at Bell Works, and then one-half mile back along the inner perimeter road.  Shoemaker won the race, coming within 6 seconds of the American record for the 50-54 age group.  Photograph courtesy Reno Stirrat.

​Speaking of the USATF-NJ Open Team Championships, Shore Athletic Club had teams in the mix!  Sadly, our ranks were sorely compromised by vacations and other factors.  On the women's side, it meant an incomplete "A" team.  We were one lady short of a complete, and unquestionably winning, team.  Karen Dos Santos led our "A" team efforts, gutting out a magnificent 5:41 to place third among masters women.  Suzanne La Burt turned in a heroic 5:55 as second team scorer.  She was only 12 seconds away from the American record in her 60-64 age group, and her 90.31% age grading topped all other Big Bang Mile contestants - women and men!  Finishing third on our incomplete "A" team was Karyn Baig, who delivered a very solid 6:23.  Our #4 was none other than nationally renowned Nora Cary.  Though short distances are not her forte (Nora's American record for the 65-69 age group is in the much longer 12K distance), she pounded out a magnificent 6:41 in support of her team.  Superbly done, ladies!

Thankfully, Shore AC had a complete women's "B" team in the race.  High-speed equestrian Diane Rothman smoked the out-and-back course in 6:52 to get the ball rolling.  Pickleball ace Debi Brathwaite smacked a swift 7:08 serve as second team scorer.  Longtime Shore AC member Kim Hart followed with a lovely 7:40 play as the team's #3 scorer.  Our 2023 USATF Masters National Champion in the 65-69 age group, Susan Stirrat, sped across the finish line moments later in 7:46.  The incomparable Luz Ravines gave us a complete "B" team when she passed through the archway in 8:18.  Our capable crew climbed onto the podium, taking second place in the team competition.  Excellent job, ladies!

August 18, 2024, Holmdel, NJ: A trio of competitors in the Masters Men's 60+ Mile pounds pavement 1/4 mile into their heat.  Left to right: Mike Connolly, Reno Stirrat and Ed Kavanagh.  Photograph courtesy Reno Stirrat.

Though absences depleted the size of our Shore AC teams in the Open Men competition, we still managed to get 3 teams across the finish line.  Spearheading our "A" team for the second year in a row was Brian Hill The Younger.  What a SPECTACULAR battle Brian fought with overall winner Noah Falasco!  Noah edged Brian by a whisker, with Brian clocking a phenomenal 4:20.86 to Noah's 4:20.51.  Eddie Ross took the second scoring position on our "A" team by winning the Masters Men's 40-49 heat in a pavement-scorching 4:55.  (Watch out, world: Eddie turns 50 on October 9!)  One of our most active team harriers, Mark Minervini, counted as third scorer with his splendid 4:55 in the Open Men's Mile.  Another Shore AC star in the 40-49 heat, Marc Blanco, took the #4 scoring position on our "A" team with a barnstorming time of 4:57.  Team scoring was beautifully completed by SAC 60+ sensation Henry Notaro.  Running in the Masters Men 60+ Mile, Henry floored his competition with a virtuoso 5:15 performance.  Congratulations, gentlemen, on achieving victory!

​​The only Shore AC squad with spare runners at the Big Bang Mile was the men's "B" team.  Stacked with 7 guys, two more than the minimum of 5, they stormed the course with confidence!  Chris Whitehead led the conga line with a magnificent 5:31.  Joe Demetrick continued his recovery from injury with a promising 5:49.  Shore AC Comeback Runner of the Year for 2023 Bob Shields marked another step forward with a superb 5:54.  Tim Horn got into his groove with a nifty 5:55.  Team scoring was sealed when Brian Hill The Elder sailed over the timing strip in 6:03.  The team enjoyed outstanding backup from Carl Gensib (6:10) and John Delaney (6:14).  Great going, guys!

​With enough guys for a "C" team, you could say that it was raining Shore AC men at the Big Bang Mile!  Mike Connolly carried the chevron for this cabal, crossing in a highly respectable 6:14.  Our 70-year-old Energizer Bunny, Reno Stirrat, made 80% age grading look easy with his superb 6:20.  Scott Linnell took time out from his race director duties to slog through in 6:38 with no warmup.  Fellow Shore AC Trustee Chris Rinaldi put smiles on many faces with his great 7:01, which represents amazing recovery from a horrific accident last year.  Octogenarian Bobby O'Rourke put the team score in the books when he dusted his 80+ competition in a stunning 8:12.  Bravo, gentlemen!

August 18, 2024, Holmdel, NJ: Coach Bob Andrews fires the gun to start the High School and Middle School Mile named in his honor.  This was Heat #6 of the 9-heat extravaganza known as the Big Bang Mile and Science Festival.  Many on the starting line were participants in Coach Bob's Gone Running program.  We hope that many of them will become active Shore AC members as adults!

SHORE AC INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:

With this race being in Shore AC's backyard, it's no surprise that SAC athletes took many individual honors.  Let you cheers echo throughout the cosmos for our top 3 finisher!
      Name                                   Age       Place                        Time          Age Grading​

• Brian Hill                           24        2nd Oervall                4:20              86.97%

Go supernova for these Shore AC athletes who scored among the top 3 in their 5-year age groups.
      Name                                   Age       Place                        Time          Age Grading​

• Clay Stevens                      15        2nd M17U                    4:47             81.58%
• Madalyn Bacharde              17       3rd F17U                      5:50             73.25%
• Mark Minervini                    31        3rd M30-34                  4:55             76.87%
• Marc Blanco                      41        1st M40-44                  4:57             80.74%
• Karen Dos Santos             42        1st F40-44                  5:41             76.93%
• Edward Ross                     49        1st M45-49                 4:55             86.34%
• Karyn Baig                          48        3rd F45-49                  6:23             72.16%
• Robert Shields                    56        3rd M55-59                 5:54             76.13%
• Henry Notaro                     62        1st M60-64                 5:15             89.96%   <--   #1 Age Grading All Men
• Suzanne La Burt                61        1st F60-64                  5:55            90.31%   <--   #1 Age Grading All Runners
• Kim Hart                             64        2nd F60-64                 7:40            72.43%
• Luz Ravines                        62        3rd F60-64                   8:18            65.24%
• Carl Gensib                        65        1st M65-69                  6:10            78.67%
• Scott Linnell                         68       3rd M65-69                  6:38             75.17%
• Nora Cary                           69        1st F65-69                  6:41            88.74%   <--   #3 Age Grading All Women
• Diane Rothman                  65        2nd F65-69                 6:52            82.97%
• Debi Brathwaite                   65        3rd F65-69                  7:08            78.84%
• Reno Stirrat                        70        1st M70-74                 6:20            80.45%
• Robert O'Rourke                81        1st M80-84                  8:12             75.78%

Light up the sky like a comet for these marvelous Shore AC harriers who placed among the top 10 in their age groups!
      Name                                   Age       Place                        Time          Age Grading​

• Matthew Butch                   15          7th M17U                  5:13             74.82%
• Chloe Li                              17         4th F17U                   6:11             69.12%
• Madison Peck                     14         5th F17U                   6:17             71.56%
• Eesha Mohan                      14        6th F17U                   6:24              70.26%
• Caitlin Butch                       12         9th F17U                   6:44             69.59%
• Victoria Volosin                   12        10th F17U                  6:45             69.42%
• Kie Antone                          23        10th M18-29               5:28             69:00%
• Chris Whitehead                 42         5th M40-44                5:31             73.01%
• Christopher Moye               44         6th M40-44                 5:32            73.88%
• Timothy Horn                      48         4th M45-49                 5:55            71.24%
• Joseph Demetrick               53         4th M50-54                 5:49            75.36%
• Peter Foytlin                       50         6th M50-54                 5:57             72.15%
• Christopher Rinaldi             54        10th M50-54                7:01             63.01%
• Brian Hill                             57         5th M55-59                 6:03             74.87%
• John Delaney                      55         6th M55-59                 6:14             71.48%
• Michael Connolly                 63         4th M60-64                 6:14             76.47%
• Susan Stirrat                        68        6th F65-69                  7:46             75.36%

August 18, 2024, Holmdel, NJ: Our fabulous check-in crew services our customers with aplomb.

August 18, 2024, Holmdel, NJ: Science Avenue at the Big Bang Mile featured terrific booths for passers-by.  Top row, left to right: Booth #1: WWII Communications, presented by InfoAge Science and History Museums; Booth #2: Electronics, "Integrated Circuit Manufacturing", presented by Mr. Eric Westerwick (my brother-in-law); Booth #3: Zoology: "Kim's Critters", presented by Shore AC's Kim Anicito.  Bottom row, left to right: Booth #4: Public Safety, presented by the Middletown Police Department (Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn appears in the picture); Booth #7: Computation, presented by the IEEE Computer Society; a view of the event tent at the termination of Science Avenue.  Many thanks to Ron Salvio and the Freehold Area Running Club for providing the red canopies.  They kept the presenters dry and comfortable during their 4-hour stint.