CHRIS KELLY Long Branch’s Brian Fish swims his way to a first-place finish in the grueling 500-meter freestyle during a recent meet against Middletown South at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.

Runners take pride in their toughness, and nothing has put that to the test like the Freehold Area Running Club (FARC) Winter Race Series.

This year, the event, which is held Sunday mornings at the Michael J. Tighe Park, Georgia Road, Freehold Township, is celebrating its 20th year and the number of participants has been staggering. In the first race of the season, held on Jan. 5, the 5K race drew a state record number of participants for a winter series, 166.

"We get the diehards who want to do something in the winter," said FARC president Bob Hyer.

The 2003 Winter Series opened on Jan. 5 with Jackson’s Paul Bahamondes winning in 16:40 while Farmingdale’s young Briana Jackucewicz was first in the women’s race with an 18:58. Bahamondes led a Jackson sweep of the top three places with Greg Emmons (16:59) and George Wolchko (17:15) finishing second and third. Wall’s Brian Kayser (17:51) and Pt. Pleasant’s Tom Zarra (17:55) rounded out the first five.

In week two of the Winter Series, Red Bank’s Ronald Torres was the first to the line in 16:27 while Jackucewicz made it two-for-two, clocking 18:46 this time.

Eric EsCorscia, also of Red Bank was the male runner-up in 16:40 with Bob Keiper third (18:04). Rounding out the first five were Zarra (18:24) and Princeton’s Rob Mirabile (18:28). Age group winners were: under 13, Morganville’s Richie Roman (22:55); 13-19, Keiper; 20-29, Mirabile; 30-39, EsCorscia; 40-49, Zarra; 50-59, Hagman (18:55); 60-69, Colts Neck’s Ray Folio (24:45); and 70+, Staten Island’s Bill Welsh (29:32). Jersey City’s Joy Jaworowski chased Jackucewicz in the women’s race, placing second in 19:42. Soldo was third (20:52), followed by Marciani and Freehold Kerry Calnan (21:48). Age group winners were: 13-19, Calnan; 20-29, Korz (23:16); 30-39, Soldo; 40-49, Jaworowski; 50-59, Sullivan (25:50); and Spring Lake’s Kathy Worth (32:44).

Litt followed up his second place in the racewalking competition at the first race of the series with a first place. The Philadelphia walker stepped off a 28:12 in topping Plumsted Ron Salvio (31:11) and Ottmer (31:32). Bridgewater’s Sherry Brosnohan (29:15) beat opening week winner Pisciotta (31:04) in the women’s race. Emanuel was third (34:32).

Sunday, the nine-degree weather tested the runners, but 117 were there. The race produced a third straight new winner with Roger Price of Piscataway getting the win in 17:46 followed by North Brunswick’s Ken Vercammen (18:06) and Zarra (18:18). Rounding out the top five were Mirabile (18:37) and the shirtless Hagman (18:42).

Jackucewicz made it three-for-three in the women’s division, lowering her time to 18:39. Island Heights’ Molly Kempton (19:18) and Cavallo (19:56) were second and third. Jennifer Gunn of Red Bank (20:32) and Higgonson (21:17) were fourth and fifth.

Male age group winners were: 13-19, Chris King, Hillside (20:46); 20-29, Mirabile; 30-39, Glen Noe, Tinton Falls (19:43); 40-49, Vercammen; 50-59, Hagman; and Ray Folio, Colts Neck (25:04).

Female age group winners: under 13, Kempton; 13-19, Higgonson; 20-29, Korz (23:12); 30-39, Gunn; 40-49, Kim Daley, Brick (22:17); 50-59, Sullivan (25:47); and 60-69, Madeline Bost, Ironia (30:19).

Willingboro’s Cliff Mimm won the racewalking in 24:04 followed by first-week winner Lach (27:38) and Morganville’s John Weitz (30:15). Panse Geer of Hazlet was the women’s winner in 35:47.

The Winter Race Series continues on Sunday with the 5K going off at 10 a.m. There are kids’ race (half-mile and one-mile) that start at 9:30 a.m. For additional information on the series, which continues through Feb. 2, or the club, call (732) 531-2627 or visit the Web site at farcnj.com.