The Ashenfelter Thanksgiving 8K Race kicked off at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, November 28, for its 25th year. Despite the raw biting combination of 40 degrees and a steady rain, in what has become an annual tradition, over 50 current and former members of the Livingston High School track and field community, running as the Livingston Track Club, took part for the 15th consecutive year. The race winds eight kilometers (about five miles) through the streets of Glen Ridge, and is named for Horace Ashenfelter, a 1952 Olympic gold medalist in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. There is also a two kilometer race named for Tom Fleming, local Track and Field Hall of Fame runner and coach. The race serves as the New Jersey 8K State Championship. Age group awards were given out to the top three finishers in five year increments for both genders. Commemorative mugs could be earned by a top 100 finish for males and females. “This segment of the Lancer community started being thankful early in the day, some leaving their homes as the day dawned,” recounted coach Dave Czeizinger. “They came out to enjoy camaraderie, friends, teammates, family and life, while getting in a run together, despite the weather conditions.”
He continued, “It was hard to get an exact count, as the ‘family’moved in and out of the gym prior to and after the race, seeking a bit of respite from the cold and the rain. But it appeared to be the largest contingent of Livingston harriers competing to date. LHS was represented by 50+ current athletes and alumni participating. There were also some family members joining in for the run. A few took part in the 2K, with most setting out to tackle the five mile course, which is relatively flat with some rolling hills.”
The current LHS cross country team produced some fast times and placed well against over 2,000 runners in the 8K and over 500 in the 2K. Senior Ryan Kropac led the crew in at 29:46, placing 77th and sixth in the 16 to 19 age group, which included some current collegiate athletes. Also breaking the 30 minute barrier was Jinay Veera, at 29:48 (80th overall, seventh in age group). Close behind was SenJun Lu, who at 30:10, placed 92nd and eighth in age group Sean Tesoriero (30:59: 113th) and Lucas Liu (31:39, 130th) earned the coveted embroidered long sleeve shirts by placing first and second in the 13 to 16 age group. On the boys’ side, Landon Maru (fifth) and Zach Croket (ninth) also picked up top ten spots in that age group.
Sophia Paparsenos (34:44; 259th) earned a sixth place in the female 16 to 19 age group. Matthew Chong (13th), Daniel Wang (14th), Ricky Romero (15th), David Flores (21st), Jon Ma (28th), John Harrell (30th) and Zach Barber all finished well in the male 16 to 19 group, while Nathan Panitch (13th), Ben Strasnick (14th), and Dilan Bhimani (15th) placed well in the male 13 to 16 group.
The girls had bright spots also coming off a great cross country season, with Ava Gelfenshteyn finishing 12th in the female 13 to 16 category. Alumna Carol Flores (14th), Sophie Schumacher (15th), Lexis Chen (29th), Annie Ferrans (30th) and Emma Xing (31st), ran together and placed well in their female 16 to 19 group. Not far behind was another Lancer group with alumna Bridget Gulfo enjoying a run with Sarah Nidhan (38th), alumna Taylor Dannis (39th) and Lila Maru (40th), who arrived in tandem at the line.
Other active harriers enjoying running with their teammates included Avery Lerman, Darcy Bialick, Kiera D’Souza, Sophia Wang, Kaya Bhansali, Sofia Iskold, and Carolina Romero Vasquez. Mixed in this group were another group of alumnae, including Sasha Culver, Yana and Anna Sang, Joanne Cao, Shannon O’Connor, and Andrea Perkins (LHS class of 2013). Philmon Mehari (37:23) led the male alumni and was joined by Sean Miller, Robert Chun, and Jake Ferrans. Kyle Viteri and a few others were among those there to support the crew.
Added Coach Czeizinger, “A big shout-out also goes to Ryan’s dad, who at 50 ran a quality time of 35:28 for 21st in his age group. Other parents, including Tanya Ivchenko, Sandra Maru, Patrick O’Connor, Gail Kelly, and family members of past Lancer athletes, participated in the event. It must be pointed out that many of the Lancer runners ran hard to test their fitness levels, while others ran simply for fun and to share the day with comrades.”
Some members may have been overlooked due to the over 3,000 results scanned through for this article. Coach Czeizinger said that he was thankful for all from LHS who have participated with him since he started this trend back in 2010.
Czeizinger, who had run his 20th straight Ashenfelter 8K, was joined by fellow cross country coach Jim Memory this year, as he looks to pass the torch. He was escorted by Harrell running in his turkey costume and another unidentified costumed turkey across the finish line.
“I was moved by many of the Lancers lining the finish ropes cheering me even in the rain,” Coach Memory said. “The crew enjoyed some post race reflections on this race, traded some stories of older races and took some photos. All in all, the Lancer crew enjoyed some camaraderie, got in a wet run, and were thankful for the day’s events. As they parted, many of the participants remarked that they hoped to do this again next year. It was a nice and memorable start to everyone’s Thanksgiving Day festivities.”
