North Jersey Masters honors significant achievements by club members in a calendar year. Awards are handed out each year at the club banquet, usually held in January, recognizing achievement from the prior year. The final award categories and nominees are determined by special committee assigned and approved by the board of directors. North Jersey Masters typically presents annual awards to outstanding members in the following categories:
Team Spirit
Presented to a member who shows their spirit by participating in NJM races, volunteers at NJM events, and cheers for teammates. This person exhibits energy and enthusiasm for all NJM events and set an example for others by getting involved in social get-togethers, workouts, and volunteering to assist at NJM functions such as the Ridgewood Run and Summer Picnic cleanup
Lifetime Achievement
Presented to an individual who has been a member for 20 or more years and has consistently served the club through volunteerism, committee membership and significantly furthered the mission and goals of the North Jersey Masters.
Runner of the Year
Presented to a well-rounded runner who best represents the spirit of the club by exhibiting the qualities of versatility, durability, improvement and competitiveness at any level and ability.
President’s Award
Selected and presented by the President to an extraordinary member that goes above and beyond for his or her countless hours of volunteer contributions to NJM. Attends one of the coaches weekly workouts and a paid member.
The Toshi d’Elia Award
Presented to the male and female member who runs for NJM and turns in the fastest marathon performance for the year. In addition, attends one of the weekly coach workouts and volunteer at any NJM event.
Most Improved Runner
Earned by a club member who has shown significant improvement in his/her racing times within a years time frame and who regularly attends workouts.
Newcomer of the Year
Presented to a new club member, who, within the first year of membership, has shown dedication and loyalty to the club, has volunteered his/her services at club functions, works to bring in new members and generally heralds the mission of the club.
Comeback Runner of the Year
Presented to the runner who, after experiencing a setback of severe illness or extreme injury, was able to return to competition.
There are also special categories that have been given out at the discretion of the board:
- Lifetime Membership
- Special Recognition
- Hall of Fame
Past Award Recipients
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Team Spirit | Andrew Mui |
| Runner of the Year | Ed Kavanagh |
| Toshi D’Elia Award, Female | Karina Ponomarciuc |
| Toshi D’Elia Award, Male | Scott Avidon |
| Newcomer of the Year | Amy Pseja |
| Comeback Runner of the Year | Harry Pino |
| Most Improved Runner | Patti Kavanagh |
| Lifetime Achievement | Ron Bienstock |
| President’s Award | Drew Coyle |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Bob Hollis |
| Runner of the Year | Nora Carey |
| Team Spirit Award | Mark Snyder |
| Toshi D’Elia Award, Female | Miho Saito |
| Toshi D’Elia Award, Male | Scott Avidon |
| Newcomer Award | Michael Vitulano |
| Comeback Runner of the Year | Rudi Trivigno |
| Most Improved, Female | Lori Kilmurray |
| Most Improved, Male | Frank Sze |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Female | Nora Carey |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Male | Nick Paolazzi |
| Triathlete of the Year, Female | Lisa Swain |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Cami Klein |
| Volunteer Award | Nick Paolazzi |
| President’s Award | Norm Chester |
Title
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Drew Coyle |
| Runner of the Year | Danny Paolozzi |
| Team Spirit Award | Gail Warshaw and Antje Hennings |
| Marathoner of the Year, Female | Janna Danbe |
| Marathoner of the Year, Male | Sam Teigen |
| Newcomer Award | Mark Washburne |
| Comeback Runner of the Year | Max Christensen |
| Most Improved, Female | Alexis Goebel |
| Most Improved, Male | Chris Anderson |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Female | Nora Carey |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Male | John Hogan |
| Triathlete of the Year, Female | Barbara Christiansen |
| Triathlete of the Year, Male | Rich Rubino |
| Track & Field Athlete of the Year | Allison Lounsbury |
| Volunteer Award | Ellen George, Lorraine Dexter |
| President’s Award | Dominique Hamel |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Norm Chester |
| Runner of the Year | Pat Kutner-Fiume |
| Team Spirit Award | Rudi Trivigno Jr. |
| Marathoner of the Year, Female | Josie Walsh |
| Marathoner of the Year, Male | Sam Teigen |
| Newcomer Award, Female | Carol Keegan |
| Newcomer Award, Male | Jack Frame |
| Most Improved, Female | Tracy Broderick |
| Most Improved, Male | David Robinson |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Female | Erika Campbell |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Male | John Hogan |
| Triathlete of the Year, Female | Eileen Neville |
| Triathlete of the Year, Male | Matt Hanley |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Debi Brathwaite |
| Runner of the Year | Gloria Huberman |
| Team Spirit Award | Cami Klein |
| Marathoner of the Year, Female | Josie Walsh |
| Marathoner of the Year, Male | Scott Avidon |
| Newcomer Award, Female | Svetla Sands |
| Newcomer Award, Male | Sam Teigen |
| Comeback Runner of the Year | Larry Kahm |
| Most Improved, Female | Miho Saito |
| Most Improved, Male | Johnny DePaola |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Female | Erika Campbell |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Male | John Hogan |
| Triathlete of the Year | Harold Green |
| Youth Athlete of the Year, Female | Camryn Wennersten |
| Youth Athlete of the Year, Male | Chris O’Connell |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Jerry Schragen |
| Runner of the Year | Carmen Sargent |
| Team Spirit Award | Norm Chester |
| Marathoner of the Year, Female | Josie Walsh |
| Marathoner of the Year, Male | Rudi Trivigno Jr. |
| Newcomer Award | Amit Shah |
| Comeback Runner of the Year | Steve Karcich |
| Most Improved, Female | Esther Rubinstein |
| Most Improved, Male | Eric Permutter |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Female | Erika Campbell |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Male | Rudi Trivigno Jr. |
| Triathlete of the Year | Andrew McKinnon |
| Track & Field Athletes of the Year | Jerika Lufrano |
| Youth Athlete of the Year | Allison Lounsbury |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Bill Zink |
| Runner of the Year | Mary Connolly |
| Team Spirit Award, Female | Debi Brathwaite |
| Team Spirit Award, Male | Bob Hollis |
| Marathoner of the Year, Female | Betsy Magato |
| Marathoner of the Year, Male | Rudi Trivigno Jr. |
| Newcomer Award | Karina Ponomarciuc |
| Comeback Runner of the Year | Mike Machuca |
| Most Improved, Female | Megan Dippolito |
| Most Improved, Male | Steve Jones |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Female | Erika Campbell |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Male | Rudi Trivigno Jr. |
| Triathlete of the Year, Female | Lisa Swain |
| Track & Field Athletes of the Year | Pat Butcher |
| Youth Athlete of the Year | Emily Spence |
| HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | Brian Wormser |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Nick Paolazzi |
| Runner of the Year | Chris Kunkel |
| Team Spirit Award | Rob McCarthy |
| Marathoner of the Year, Female | Betsy Magato |
| Marathoner of the Year, Male | Jacob Garber |
| Newcomer Award | Joe DiVincent Jr. |
| Most Improved, Female | Teresa Simpson |
| Most Improved, Male | Joe Singleton |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Female | Erika Campbell |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Male | Bill Zink |
| Triathlete of the Year, Female | Laura Tappan |
| Triathlete of the Year, Male | Mike Llerandi |
| Track & Field Athletes of the Year | Mens 50s 4 x 400 relay team: Bill Zink John Murtaugh Nick Paolazzi Bill Hughes |
| Youth Athlete of the Year, Female | Jerika Kelly Lufrano |
| Youth Athlete of the Year, Male | Alex Gee |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Peter Molyneux |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Lou Cizek |
| Runner of the Year | Matt Hanley |
| Team Spirit Award, Female | Debbie Braithwaite |
| Team Spirit Award, Male | Kevin Burns |
| Marathoner of the Year, Female | Marijana Dinic |
| Marathoner of the Year, Male | Rudi Trivigno Jr. |
| Newcomer Award | Dominique Hamel |
| Comeback Runner of the Year | Tony Galka |
| Most Improved, Female | Colleen Heneghan |
| Most Improved, Male | Hugo DelBove |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Female | Misa Tamura |
| Highest Age-Graded Performance, Male | Bill Zink |
| Triathlete of the Year, Female | Wendi Gavigan |
| Triathlete of the Year, Male | Andrew McKinnon |
| Track & Field Athlete of the Year | Jim Manno |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | James Linn |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Ken Keppler |
| Runner of the Year (tie) | Misa Tamura & Pat Butcher |
| Team Spirit Award Female | Mary Connolly |
| Team Spirit Award Male | Mike Machuca |
| Best Marathoner Female | Lori Siracuse Parker |
| Best Marathoner Male | Rob Isabelle |
| Newcomer Award | Debbie Brathwaite |
| Comeback Award | Lily Kosaka |
| Most Improved Female | Bettina Garber |
| Most Improved Male | Tom McCarthy |
| Youth Award | Tara Rutkowski |
| Best Triathlete | Rob Coyle |
| Outstanding Track & Field | Andrew Sargeant |
| Age-Graded Best Race Award Female | Erika Campbell |
| Age-Graded Best Race Award Male | Bill Zink |
| Hall of Fame | Tom Treimel |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Gail Kislevitz |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Drew Coyle |
| Best Marathoner Female | Beth OConnor |
| Best Marathoner Male | Rob Isabelle |
| Newcomer Award Female | Barbara Paer |
| Newcomer Award Male | Martin Hayes |
| Comeback Award Female | Sally Simeone |
| Comeback Award Male | Charles Reilly |
| Most Improved Female | Genevieve DiTonto |
| Most Improved Male | John Foster |
| Youth Award | Emily Garber |
| Best Triathlete Female | Wendi Gavigan |
| Best Triathlete Male | George Carlson |
| Outstanding Track & Field Female | Marie Salamon |
| Outstanding Track & Field Male | Bill Zink |
| Age-Graded Best Race Award (tie) | Erika Campbell/Helene Bedrock |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Brian Wormser |
| Best Marathoner Female | Beth OConnor |
| Best Marathoner Male | Rob Isabelle |
| Newcomer Award Female | Christy Dellapenta |
| Newcomer Award Male | Bob Roemer |
| Comeback Award Female | Linda Ferraro |
| Comeback Award Male | Jim Linn |
| Most Improved Female | Erika Campbell |
| Most Improved Male | Norm Chester |
| Team Spirit Award Female | Misa Tamura |
| Team Spirit Award Male | Mark Snyder |
| Youth Award Female | Jolie Bartner |
| Youth Award Male | Alan Hwang |
| Crazy Legs Marathon Award (Special) | Christopher Kunkel |
| Welcome Back Award (Special) | Charlie Reilly |
Age Division Award Winners:
| DIVISION | FEMALE | MALE |
| 20-29 | Genevieve DiTonto | Matt Hanley |
| 35-39 | Christy Dellapenta | Mark Snyder |
| 40-44 | Misa Tamura | Tom McDonald |
| 45-49 | Wanda Shulman | Nick Paolazzi |
| 50-54 | Lisa Swain | Tony Galka |
| 55-59 | Erika Campbell | Peter Molyneux |
| 60-64 | – | Ed Lhotak |
| 65-69 | Alexandra Bru | Glen Moyer |
| 70-74 | Helene Bedrock | Ken Baker |
| 75-79 | Toshi DElia | Walter Desind |
| 80-84 | – | – |
| 85+ | – | Champion Goldy |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | John Foster |
| Best Marathoner Female | Beth Moras |
| Best Marathoner Male | Paul Scire |
| Newcomer Award Female | Sherry Cranmer |
| Newcomer Award Male | Tom McCarthy |
| Comeback Award Female | Donna Adamoli |
| Comeback Award Male | George Carlson |
| Most Improved Female | Diane Galka |
| Most Improved Male | Tony Galka |
| Team Spirit Award Female | Misa Tamura |
| Team Spirit Award Male | Matt Hanley |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM Award | Mike Machuca |
| Best Male Marathoner | Chris Kearns |
| Best Female Marathoner | Beth Moras |
| Male Newcomer of the Year | Anthony Galka |
| Female Newcomer of the Year | Bettina Garber |
| Comeback Award | Pete Shanno |
| Most Improved Masters | Bill Zink |
| Most Improved Youth | Ethan Kleinbaum |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM award | Jim Manno |
| Newcomer of the Year | Chris Kunkel |
| Comeback award | Helene Bedrock |
| Most Improved Male | Rudi Trivigno |
| Most Improved Female | Mary Connolly |
| Best Male Marathoner | John Owens |
| Best Female Marathoner | Gabi Mulderrig |
| Lifetime Award | Jim McGilvray |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM | Tom McDonald |
| Spirit of NJM | Eileen Holzman |
| Best Male Marathoner | Joe McVeigh |
| Best Female Marathoner | Beth O’Connor |
| Newcomer of the Year | Jim Linn |
| Most Improved | Peter Molyneux |
| Outstanding Runner | Nick Paolazzi |
| Lifetime members | Dave and Ginny James |
| Special recognition | Bev Keppler |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM | Linda Ferraro |
| Best Female Marathoner | Beth Moras |
| Best Male Marathoner | Joe McVeigh |
| Newcomer of the Year Female | Poppi Gostkowski |
| Newcomer of the Year Male | Brad Smith |
| AWARD | RECIPIENT |
| Spirit of NJM | Helene Bedrock, Lily Kosaka, Bob Naylor |
| Best female marathoner | Beth Moras |
| Best Male Marathoner | John Owens |
| Most Improved | Sally Simeone |
| Comeback Award | Joe Treimel |
| Newcomer of the Year | Gail Kislevitz |
| Outstanding T&F | Zelig Strauss |
| Special Recognition | Rick Pingitore, Andrew Boyajian |
Awards Eligibility
Membership
To be eligible for most awards, a runner must be a member paid in full for at least six months of the calendar year at the time of nomination. Eligible members must race for North Jersey Masters only and not for any another club.
Selection Process
For specific awards such as Marathoner or Ironman of the year or Most Improved, runners are nominated based on their best performances of the year. These rankings are compiled directly from the results posted on the website and reviewed by the Awards Committee.
If you would like to nominate a club member for an award, email their name and a brief paragraph as to why he/she should be considered for the award to Lisa Swain, no later than December 31st.