Local couple' victorious in triathlon
MOUNT OLIVE Matt Majka of Branchville and Melissa Kern of Hopatcong have been an “item” for a while. Today, they are a different kind of item. Boyfriend and girlfriend came away with first place trophies at yesterday’s 10th Annual ITCA Triathlon. Majka was the overall top finisher, winning the bike-canoe-run event in just 1:20:54. Kern, meanwhile, was the top female finisher for the second straight year, dramatically improving her time this time around. She finished in 1:27:12, knocking off over 12 minutes from her time last year. Proceeds from the Triathlon, presented by Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, went to New Jersey Special Olympics Area 3. A companion Kids’ Triathlon also took place, with more than 500 athletes in all competing as individuals or in teams. While they are boyfriend and girlfriend, Kern pointed out that they “do not train together,” although they will bike together occasionally. At yesterday’s Triathlon, nobody was able to keep pace with Kern down the stretch as she finished nearly eight minutes ahead of her nearest competitor. “I thought someone was on my tail during the run,” said Kern, her left knee scraped and bloody. “I don’t know where she went.” Majka, who like Kern is strongest on the mountain bike, took control of the male division early on. “Since this is one of the only events where I also canoe and run I really wanted to take a lead early and hold on to it,” he said. “I stayed with the front of the pack (during the early part of the bike) and at the first climb I made my move and punched it on the bike.” Joe Barrows of Wayne tried to make up ground on Majka, but came up short a couple of minutes later. Julian Natisin of Easton, Pa. took third, almost four minutes behind Majka. Stacey Barbossa of Jersey City was second for the females. Florence Corcoran from Bath, Pa. outdueled Whippany’s Angie Dello for third place. The ITCA’s Corporate winning team came from Agilent Technologies, with Jim Giannetti and Peyman Safa combining to claim that prize. Sponsors for the event included Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Rockefeller Group Development Corporation, Coty Inc., Givaudan Fragrances Corporation, Saint Clare’s Health System, The Pastime Club of Mendham, Trammell Crow, Oxford Health Plans, Cohen and Schwartz Dental, Information Services International, Applebee’s Mount Olive, TMP Worldwide, Sportcraft Ltd., MindCore, Wyndham Garden Hotel and North Jersey Portable Toilets.