On the Run in Monmouth County

Some people run “just because” – and some people run for a cause! The advent of warm weather brings running season, and that means a calendar full of 5K races and fun runs in towns throughout Monmouth County, NJ for a variety of worthy causes to help raise both funds and awareness. Here are some of the upcoming 2018 events that are worth going the extra mile – either as a participant, a sponsor, or a spectator.

For details and registration for any of these, as well as information on dozens more races in neighboring towns from now through the fall, go to https://runsignup.com/Club/Races/952 or http://www.runningintheusa.com/classic/list/5k/monmouth-county-nj.  

FAIR HAVEN: GIRLS ON THE RUN 5K

Sunday, June 3 at Fair Haven Fields, Dartmouth Avenue in Fair Haven, NJ

For 17 years, the mission of GOTR of Central Jersey has been to inspire girls to recognize their limitless potential and boldly pursue their dreams. Race proceeds help give more girls the opportunity to participate in this life-changing program through the GOTR of Central NJ Scholarship Fund.

The registration fee on race day is $35. The race begins at 9:30 a.m., with packet pickup and registration from 8:00 to 9:15 a.m. that morning. Awards will be given for the first, second, and third place overall male and female runners, as well as in 10-year age groups. Post-race refreshments will be provided for runners only.

HOLMDEL: FOURTH ANNUAL HFEE 5K AND KIDS’ FUN RUN

Sunday, June 3 at Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel, NJ

Organized by the Holmdel Foundation for Educational Excellence (HFEE), this fun community event will help to raise funding for the new innovative science laboratories at Indian Hill School and a health and wellness center at the Satz Middle School/Holmdel High School building. Look for more information at www.hfee.org.

Registration on race day opens at 8:00 a.m. Fees are $30 for the 5K and $15 for the Kids’ Fun Run. The Kids’ Fun Run will begin at 8:45 a.m., with the 5K starting at 9:30 a.m. 

If you have any questions about this race, please contact the race director at HFEE5k@gmail.com.

RED BANK: RED BANK CLASSIC 5K

Saturday, June 16 on Broad Street at the corner of Monmouth Street in Red Bank, NJ

The Red Bank Classic 5K returns, running through the downtown area for the first time. Organized through the collective efforts of a group of Red Bank business owners and community members, the event supports the Red Bank Community YMCA and the Red Bank Parks & Recreation Youth Programs.

Registration fees are $25 for the 5K and $12 for the Kids’ Run for ages 12 and under. Details and online registration can be found at https://redbankclassic.com. The 5K race begins at 8:30 a.m., with the Kids’ Broad Street Dash beginning at 9:50 a.m. There will be an official warmup in Marine Park before the race hosted by the Atlantic Club, with a kids’ warmup hosted by The Community YMCA.

An instant email will be sent to each finisher with results within two seconds, with a personal finisher video for all. Awards will be given to the top three overall winners in the 5K race, as well as the top three in each age group, the top four runners on each team, and an overall team award.

There will also be a variety of free post-race activities in Marine Park. They include stand-up paddle board and SUP Yoga with Flow Paddle Yoga, mat Pilates with Renaissance the Studio, kids’ activities with The Community YMCA, spike ball, tug-of-war, and intro to CrossFit by CrossFit Treehouse II, and obstacle course by the GYMGUYZ, and post-race massage and stretching provided by the NJ Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association, A Kneaded Vacation Massage & Wellness, Back 2 Health Chiropractic, and Evolution Acupuncture. An official after-party will be held at Red Rock Tap & Grill, with the Fat Back Band starting at 11:00 a.m., a special race day brunch menu, corn hole games, drink specials for runners who show their bibs, and more.

For more updates, follow The Red Bank Classic on Facebook.

LINCROFT: SECOND ANNUAL NICOLE’S HEART FOUNDATION ANNUAL 5K WALK/RUN

Saturday, June 23 at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road in Lincroft, NJ

This event supports the mission of the Nicole’s Heart Foundation, to foster greater awareness and education concerning the importance of cardiac screening for high school athletes and to raise funds to offset costs for cardiac screenings for high school athletes. It is held in memory of Nicole Trott, a beautiful, vivacious 18-year-old girl who had reached many milestones in her short life. A varsity cheerleader, gymnast, and track athlete, she graduated from St. John Vianney High School in 2011 and was preparing for college, with plans to become a veterinarian. Her love of animals showed in her dedication to her volunteer work at the animal shelter. Nicole tragically passed away after sudden cardiac arrest from an undiagnosed congenital heart defect called Anomalous Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA). She was a special girl and her enthusiastic love of life was infectious. To learn more, go to www.nicolesheart.com.  

Registration fee is $25 online by June 14 or $35 on race day. Check-in on race day goes from 8:00 to 8:45 a.m., with the race beginning at 9:00 a.m. There will be a bag check. To register online, go to www.raceforum.com/nicole.

SEA BRIGHT: ANDY ROONEY OCEAN SWIM AND SWIM/RUN

Sunday, July 15 at River Street and Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright, NJ

This event, held in memory of Andrew Manning and Charlie Rooney to support Sea Bright Ocean Rescue, offers twice the fun and twice the challenge for participants in the Swim/Run option, combining both running and swimming skills. The Swim/Run events start at the same time as the distance swim-only events, but runners will then proceed through the finish line to the “Shoe Transition” designated area, then run a loop south towards Monmouth Beach and back.

Registration fees, by July 6, are $35 for both the two-mile swim/four-mile run and the one-mile swim/two-mile run. The race begins at 8:00 a.m. Wetsuit wearers will be in a separate division, and awards will be given  to only the top three overall male and female non-wetsuit wearers. To register online, go to https://raceforum.com/andyrooney.

LITTLE SILVER: 25TH ANNIVERSARY 2018 LITTLE SILVER CLASSIC 5K

Sunday, September 30 at Red Bank Regional High School, 101 Ridge Road in Little Silver, NJ

This popular race has been going strong for 25 years and is known as being a fast fall favorite for area runners.

Registration fees, until September 17, are $35 for the 5K race, $20 for the Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run, and $20 for the Kiddies Dashes. Each price will go up by $5 after September 17. It is strongly suggested that participants pick up their race packets on Saturday, September 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Road Runner Sports, 490 Broad Street in Shrewsbury. On race day, packet pickup will be from 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. in the lobby at Red Bank Regional High School.

The Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run will begin at 8:45 a.m., starting and finishing on the Red Bank Regional High School track. The 5K will start at 9:30 a.m. Kiddie Dashes, for pre-K through fourth grade, will take place following the conclusion of the 5K, at approximately 10:30 a.m. Walkers and jog strollers in the 5K race are welcome, and asked to line up toward the back of the starting area, behind  the runners.

In addition to awards to the top finishers, medals will be given to all children in the Kids’ One-Mile Fun Run and the Kiddie Dashes. A post-race party, with music, food, drinks, and children’s activities, will be held at the Little Silver Fire House, beginning around 11:00 a.m.

For more information, visit www.littlesilver5k.com.

MIDDLETOWN: 18TH ANNUAL NAVESINK CHALLENGE 15K AND 5K RUN

Sunday, November 25 at Bodman Park in Middletown, NJ

Details for the 2018 event were not yet posted at press time for this popular and challenging race – whose motto is “It’s a Hill – Get Over It!” – which benefits various local non-profit organizations. In the past few years, it has sold out weeks in advance and boasted more than 1,200 participants, including those from 17 states and Canada, and raised tens of thousands of dollars. The Navesink Challenge has been celebrated for its location along one of the prettiest course in Monmouth County, through the hilly woods and scenic country backroads of Navesink. Awards are presented to the three overall male and female winners in each race, as well as the top three male and female finishers in each age group. There are also random prizes donated by local businesses and organizations, post-race food and beverages, and a post-race party.

Look for updates at www.navesinkchallenge.com or on the event Facebook page.