Runners who are often at the front of the field typically get to know each other a little. Such was the case with Max Manganiello and Eric Reitinger during last year’s Dog Day Road Race, which Manganiello won.

On Aug. 20, they were at the front again, for about 3½ miles, before Manganiello backed off and Reitinger plowed ahead. To be frank, they talked afterward as if it didn’t matter which one won the 44th edition of the 5-mile trek through Harvey Cedars.

“We were running this race for two different reasons,” said Reitinger, a 39-year-old from Mount Laurel who clocked a…