Matawan Woman Makes Mark at Half Marathon

A Matawan runner was the top female finisher in her age group at the Unite Half Marathon at Rutgers University on April 22.

Monica Sanchez, 39, finished with a time of 1:37:01.05, the quickest of all other female runners between the ages of 35 and 39.

Approximately 5,000 athletes competed in the Unite Half Marathon and the Unite 8K races an the New Brunswick campus of Rutgers University.

Produced by CGI Racing in conjunction with the Rutgers University Recreation Department, Unite Half Marathon Race Weekend brought together the university and the community to promote healthy lifestyles, charity involvement, and a competitive spirit.

The first place overall winner for the Half Marathon was Demesse Tefera, a 33-year-old from Washington D.C., who finished with a time of 1:07:44.20 and the first place overall winner for the 8K was Billy Foster, a 15-year-old from South River, N.J, who finished with a time of 29:49:04.  

The race was run entirely within the Rutgers University campus for 13.1 fast and flat miles that offered scenic views of one of the oldest, largest and most beautiful campuses in the country.   New this year was more than $7,000 in prize money which was awarded to the top three overall winners and the top three finishers in each age group. 

Also new this year was the addition of the Unite 8K Race and the Run Unite Relay – an 8K team fundraising event that raised approximately $4,000 for the Rutgers Future Scholars Program and additional money for other charities.