Bahnuk, O'Sullivan winners at Christmas in August 5-K race

HAMPTON—With all the last-minute shopping, you may feel like you race around when it’s Christmas time in December. But for the seventh year in a row, the Bears Running Club proved that the real racing happens when it’s Christmas in August. The 5-kilometer race, to be specific. The Bears Running Club’s annual race was held Aug. 10th at Swartswood State Park. With “Deck the Halls” blaring from the pavilion and race directors dressed in full Santa and Mrs. Claus garb, the race raised over $520 for Swartswood State Park. It was a clear-cut win for Hackettstown’s Mark Bahnuk. The 24-year-old ran the 3.1-mile course in 16:27. Kyle Vaughan, of Newton, was second in 17:11, and Greg Mullins, of Rockaway, took third in 17:19. On the women’s side, it was victory for Olympian Marcus O’Sullivan’s daughter, 18-year-old Laura, of Layton. O’Sullivan ran 21:02 and out-sprinted Newton’s Tina Fleming by 10 seconds. Megan Murnane, of Andover, was a close third in 21:22. Prior to the 5-K race, the traditional 100-yard out-and-back Santa Sprint for children five and under was held. Five-year-old Sarah Sayner of Newton was the champion, and her 2-year-old brother, Jesse, sporting an elf outfit, was second. Stillwater one-year-old Ashley Rose Gordon, who just started walking two weeks ago, was third. The Bears stage several races each year at Swartswood State Park. The next one will be the 2nd Annual Corporal Christopher Shea 5-K on Sunday, Nov. 5th. Call 383-7933 for more information.