Touati, Gallo beat the heat and field to win FARC 5Ks

Fred Touati and Lindsey Gallo beat the searing heat and their fellow runners in Week Two of the Freehold Area Running Club’s Summer Race Series at Battlefield State Park, Manalapan.

The 43-year-old Touati, who lives in Manalapan, was the overall winner, stepping off an 18:20 on the 3.1-mile course that is run within the confines of the park. He beat Bill Hageman, the 50-59 age group winner, who clocked 18:49.

Gallo, the former Howell High School state champion who is just off her freshman year at the University of Michigan, was in a very familiar position, first place, posting a 20:16 as the overall winner of the women’s division.

Howell’s Ben Ottmer finished first in the racewalking competition for the second straight week with a 32:58.

The men’s age group winners were: Under 15, 1. Tom Riley, North Brunswick (19:00), 2. Eric Johnson, Freehold (20:46), 3. Richard Roman, Morganville (23:22); 15-19, 1. Chris Reed, Freehold (20:02), John Sladewski, Marlboro (20:31), 3. Brett Brothwell, Middletown (20:53); 20-29, 1. Eric Fernstrom, Monmouth Junction (18:52), 2. Tom Brieva, Manalapan (20:20), 3. Mike Anthony (21:543), 30-39, Jeff Meltzer, Freehold (20:56), 2. Mark Moore, East Windsor (21:41), 3. Richard Bloom, Manalapan (21:49); 40-44, 1. Bill Winterbottom, Jackson (19:18), 2. Kerwin Lanz, Farmingdale (20:02), 3. Joe Sladewski, Marlboro (21:04); 45-49, 1. Robert Schwartz, Manalapan (20:26), 2. Fran Bell, Jobstown (23:16), 3. Jim Jensen (24:57); 50-59, 1. Hageman; 2. Marty Slutzky, Edison (23:00), 3. Tony Beach, Cranbury (23:11); 60-69, 1. Ralph Garfield, Manalapan (22:28), 2. Gordie Knocsol, Woodbridge (24:26); and 70+, 1. Jim Robbins, Eatontown (31:35).

The women’s age group winners were Under 15, 1. Elizabeth Buchalski, Freehold (22:18), 2. Laura Saffer, Manalapan (24:01), 3. Kelly Knox, Freehold (25:02); 15-19, 1. Nicole McDonald, Marlboro (25:35), 2. Melissa Polakos, Marlboro (26:23), 3. Danielle McDonald, Marlboro (35:17); 20-29, 1. Tina Strauss, Toms River (21:30), 2. Kristen Riviere, Millstone (22:20), 3. Kelly Korz, Freehold (22:25); 30-39, 1. Deb Lurie, Morganville (22:59), 2. Larissa Chomyts, Tinton Falls (24:43), 3. Dorothy Peterson, Manalapan (25:12); 40-49, 1. Laurie Salberg, Manalapan (24:17), 2. Pat Coyne, Freehold (25:12), 3. Lynn Brennessel, Freehold (26:47); and 50+, 1. Shirley Sullivan, Jackson (27:19), 2. Kathy Kennedy, Freehold (28:27), 3. Rosalie Lidzbarski, Monroe (29:53).

The 5K Summer Race Series will take a one-week hiatus because of the July Fourth holiday and continue July 11 at the Battlefield State Park. The 5K goes off at 6:50 p.m. The series will continue Wednesday evenings through Aug. 8.

For more information on the Summer Series or other FARC events, call (732) 431-2627.