Martin Riddell ran the fastest two-mile by a South Jersey runner this year Saturday afternoon, running 9:24.45 at the Ocean Breeze Invitational on Staten Island.
Riddell closed in 67.4 and placed third behind Matt Bogdan of Colts Neck (9:20.65) and Andrew Avila of Wilmington Charter in Delaware (9:21.30).
Bogdan and Riddell rank No. 1 and No. 2 in New Jersey so far this year.
Riddell has an indoor PR of 9:18.81 for 3,200 meters from last year’s Meet of Champions at the Bennett Center. That converts to a 9:22.05 for two miles, so Riddell on Saturday was only two seconds off his indoor PR. He’s run as fast as 9:10.75 outdoors.
From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank 