Flemington Man Sets New Record for 2014 Princeton Half Marathon

ByKrystal Knapp
Top finisher Laurent White of Flemington after the Princeton Half Marathon awards ceremony.
Top finisher Laurent White of Flemington after the Princeton Half Marathon awards ceremony.

Laurent White didn’t need to worry about a surge from a competitor near the end of the race.

The closest runner in the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon was more than two minutes behind the 34-year-old Flemington resident as he kept his even pace to finish the second annual race in 1:18:29, beating the winning time for the 2013 race.

The win in the women’s race was a little more complicated. It appeared as if Meghan Bruce of Princeton was the top female finisher with her time of 1:29:36, but about a dozen runners missed a turn on the course, including the front-runner for the women.

For reasons that are still unclear, a race worker was not directing runners at the turn on Deer Path for a brief time. Julie Macedo of Wilmington, Delaware was ahead of all of the other women by more than a minute before she and other runners missed the turn. The group ran an extra 9/10 of a mile.

Race grand marshal Mark Censits with top female finisher Julie Macedo and HiTOPS Executive Director Elizabeth Casparian.
Race grand marshal Mark Censits with top female finisher Julie Macedo and HiTOPS Executive Director Elizabeth Casparian.

When awards were given out, the results were adjusted to reflect the time lost due to the runners going in the wrong direction. Macedo, 20, was declared the top female finisher with her time of 1:31:26. Six minutes were taken off of Macedo’s chip time, which was changed to 1:25:26 for the win.

Bruce, 24, won the Mayor’s Cup, an award that goes to the top male and female finishers representing Princeton area businesses. She is the assistant manager at the Princeton Running Company.

In the men’s division, Daniel Shea, 41, of Princeton came in second place with a time of 1:20:43. Kevin Sun, 15, of Princeton came in third place with a time if 1:28:59. The youngest runners competing in the race this year were 14 years old.

In the women’s division, Grace Doramus, 27, of New York, took third place with a time if 1:31:55.

For complete race results, visit the Mid Atlantic Timing website, where you can also search for runners by name, bib number or team.

Mayor's Cup winner Meghan Bruce with Mayor Liz Lempert and Adam Perle of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor’s Cup winner Meghan Bruce with Mayor Liz Lempert and Adam Perle of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Except for the missed turn, the race went off without a hitch, officials said. Princeton Police Chief Nick Sutter said the race was pushed back a half an hour this year. The move helped things run smoother,  he said.

More than 1,250 runners from several states participated in the second race hosted by HiTOPS. International runners from as far away as Brazil and New Zealand ran. The majority of runners were from the Tri-State area, with a strong showing from Princeton, Pennington and Hopewell.

Crowds lined the Princeton streets in spite of the cold temperatures. When the race started at 7 a.m. it was only about 40 degrees. Well-wishers bundled up and clutched coffee and hot cocoa as they cheered the runners on. On Herrontown Road, one spectator waved a sign that said it all: “Hurry up, I’m cold!”

The Herrontown Road cheering section. Photo courtesy of Stella Rho.
The Herrontown Road cheering section. Photo courtesy of Stella Rho.
The Princeton Police with the lead runner on Herrontown Road. The Herrontown Road. Photo courtesy of Stella Rho.
The Princeton Police escort the lead runner on Herrontown Road. The Herrontown Road. Photo courtesy of Stella Rho.
The Herrontown Road cheering section was not deterred by the cold weather. Photo courtesy of Stella Rho.
The Herrontown Road cheering section was not deterred by the cold weather. Photo courtesy of Stella Rho.
Runner Aloysius Rho poses for a picture on Herrontown Road. Photo courtesy of Stella Rho.
Runner Aloysius Rho poses for a picture on Herrontown Road. Photo courtesy of Stella Rho.

 

The scene on Jefferson Road. Photo courtesy of Eve Noon.
The scene on Jefferson Road. Photo courtesy of Eve Noon.
Raise your hands if you're cold. Photo courtesy of Eve Noon.
Raise your hands if you’re cold. Photo courtesy of Eve Noon.
This weather calls for a venti hot beverage. Rah, rah! Photo courtesy of Eve Noon.
This weather called for a venti hot beverage. Rah, rah! Photo courtesy of Eve Noon.
Apparently she loved the loudspeaker music from the "Chariots of Fire" soundtrack. Photo courtesy of Eve Noon.
Apparently she loved the loudspeaker music from the “Chariots of Fire” soundtrack. Photo courtesy of Eve Noon.
Jonah Lansky (l) is all smiles. Photo courtesy of Amy Lansky.
Jonah Lansky (l) is all smiles. Photo courtesy of Amy Lansky.
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The course was beautiful. Photo courtesy of Amy Lansky.
Runners crossing Harrison. Photo courtesy of Julie Zimmerman.
Runners crossing Harrison. Photo courtesy of Julie Zimmerman.
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Heading from Linden Lane onto Hamilton Ave. Photo courtesy of Jhilam Iqbal.

 

 

 

Top finisher Laurent White crossing Harrison Street.
Top finisher Laurent White crossing Harrison Street.
Trying to stay warm at the awards tent.
Trying to stay warm at the awards tent.
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Best poster at the race: “I’m half impressed Dad.”
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Laura Frank of YogaStream taking the weather in stride at her booth at the Victory Village on Hinds Plaza.
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Princeton University employee Marisa Benson (r) participating in her first half marathon.
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The scene on Vandeventer Avenue.
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Members of the cheering section on Wiggins wave the flag of Mexico.
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Volunteer firefighter Roz Warren directs traffic. “Is it cold enough for you?” he asked.
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A nod to Einstein. The 2014 Princeton Half Marathon participant shirts.
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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.