Submitted by Frank Reilly, race chairman & Stirling firefighter
The 20th annual NJ Firefighters Bicycle Race to raise funds for The Burn Center at St. Barnabas Hospital, NJ’s only certified burn center, was held on Sun., July 24 in downtown Stirling (Morris County). It was another successful event with more than 60 firefighters racing, including 7 female firefighters. Each year this event, the only one of its kind in America, is hosted by the Stirling Volunteer Fire Co. whose members spent more than 200 hours to make this event a success.
Hundreds of on-lookers cheered and applauded the racers as they completed the two mile race in full firefighter turn-out gear (less boots because it is too difficult to keep boots on the pedals). The weather for the race was sunny and in the low 90s. Due to the high heat the racers were asked if they wanted to race without their gear and just wear their helmets. The vote was unanimous to race in their full turn-out gear! Before the race started a large amount of water was consumed by the racers as well as after the race. The firefighters completed the race without incident, a testament to their strength, endurance, and dedication.
After the race Stirling firefighters hosted a picnic lunch in their air conditioned firehouse for the racers and their guests. Following the meal trophies were awarded to the winners by firefighter race chairman Frank Reilly and race vice chairman Steve Remington. Reilly praised the riders for their outstanding performance and recognized the many Stirling firefighters who worked so hard to make this event a success.
The top 10 winners were: 1st place Dawher Castro, Stirling Vol. Fire Co. (this was the third consecutive year he won the race); 2nd place Eric Murphy, Liberty Corner Fire Co.; 3rd place Peter Aprahamian, Liberty Corner Fire Co.; 4th place Michael O’Brien, Liberty Corner Fire Co.; 5th Place Richard Owens, Wilkes-Barre PA Fire Dept.; 6th Place Rich Freyrer, Dunellen Fire Dept; 7th Place David Krill, Kenilworth Fire Dept.; 8th Place (tied) Ryan Daughton, E. Franklin Fire Dept. and Ryan Walsh, Liberty Corner Fire Dept.; 9th Place Kurt Meaney, Hampton Fire Dept.; and 10th Place was Nick DeThomas, Millington Fire Co.
First place female firefighter racer was Isabella DeBiasse of the Millington Fire Co. for the second consecutive year.
Best Team of 4: Liberty Corner Fire Co. consisting of Peter Aprahan, Eric Murphy, Michael O’Brien and Ryan Walsh. Walsh finished 8th in the race giving Liberty Corner a wide margin of victory over other teams of 4 racers. Other teams of 4 were from Dunellen Fire Dept., E. Franklin Fire Dept., Forked River Fire Dept., Green Brook Fire – EMS, Kenilworth Fire Dept., Millington Fire Co., North Branch Fire Dept., Plainsboro Fire Dept., and Upper Saddle River Fire Dept.
Oldest racer was Kenneth Larson, a fit 68 year old firefighter, from the Green Brook Fire EMS Dept. He finished 68th and was presented with the “Oldest Firefighter Racer Award”, which he joyfully accepted with much fanfare.
Stirling Vol. Fire Co. racers were Dawher Castro, Travis Snyder, and Randy Wojeck. 16 other Stirling firefighters manned the firehouse setting up, handling registration, preparing and serving food, and clean-up at the end of the day. It was hard work, but was very rewarding.
The participating fire departments were: Dunellen, East Franklin, Forked River, Green Brook, Hampton, Kenilworth, Liberty Corner, Millington, North Branch, Perth Amboy, Plainsboro, Stirling, Upper Saddle River, and Wilkes-Barre PA.
For photos of the race go to Stirling’s website: www.stirlingfd.com and click on the Facebook iconm. The 2017 race will be held on Sunday, September 26. 2017. Please plan to attend and participate as a firefighter racer if possible. Information will be on this website next spring.
(above) Firefighters line up at starting position.
To see more pictures of this event visit Stirling Fire Dept. Bike 2016 Race
