The George Sheehan Classic kicked off on Friday evening June 17, 2011 with kids races in Marine Park in Red Bank, NJ. Plenty of kids came out to participate in the fun runs along the Navesink River. There were clowns, balloon makers and entertainment for the kids. They participated in warm ups before the planned start at 6:30 PM. Then ominously came the dark clouds and just about 10 minutes before the planned start stormy weather with windblown rain and lightning which forced the cancellation of the races. Kids though were mostly happy with the refreshments of freshly baked cupcakes, smoothies and lots of other snacks as well as receiving their finisher’s medal.
The event which began in 1981 as the Asbury Park 10K Classic and quickly became one of the major road running events on the national calendar. The race moved to Red Bank in 1994 and was renamed to honor the memory of Dr. George Sheehan, the prominent author, philosopher and area physician. “The Doc” has been called the “father of the running boom” in the United States.
The weather for Saturday’s George Sheehan 5 Miler was a bit on the warm side with temperatures in the 70’s and the sun shining bright with very little wind as the runners lined up on Broad Street in front of St James’s Catholic Church there.
Race Director, Phil Hinck, gave the signal to the runners to start and they took off down Broad Street and then made their way through the streets of Red Bank and neighboring towns. At about the 4 mile mark they encountered what is known as Tower Hill and at about that time the temperatures rose and the sun made for a challenging last mile.
First for the men in a time of 25:28 was Craig Segal of Highlands, NJ. He was followed by Robert Cavanaugh of West Long Branch, NJ in a time of 25:44 and Mike Rolek of Maplewood, NJ in 26:08.
For the women it was multi repeat winner Noel (Brock) Whitall of Toms River in 28:39. Noel was followed by Erin Lunny of Middletown, NJ in a time of 29:34 and Marissa Alberti of Long Branch, NJ in 30:19.
The race was part of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix of races. The next event up in the series is the Belmar 5 of July 9, 2011.
Coming up for runners are some great opportunities for racing including:
Saturday, June 25, 5K, 9 AM, Ryan's Run, Mountain Hill School, Atlantic Highlands, NJ Read All About It
Saturday, June 25, 8 AM, 5K, Race 4 Haiti, Thompson Park, Lincroft, NJ
Saturday, June 25, 5miles - 10 AM, 1 Mile - 9:45 AM, Miles for Matlosz, Lakewood, NJ
Saturday, June 25, 8K, 8:30 AM, Lavalette 8K, Lavalette, NJ
Saturday, June 25, 10:17 AM, 10 Miles, Ten Mile Ten Bar Run, Start at Long Branch Train Station finish at Bar A in Lake Como, Long Branch, NJ - This is not a JSRC Run. We are not sure whose run it is. It just happens.
Sunday, June 26, Pine Beach 5K, Pine Beach, NJ
Monday, July 4, 5 Miles, Wall Firecracker 5, Wall, NJ
Monday, July 4, 5K, Run Thru Maplewood, Maplewood, NJ
Monday, July 4, 26.2, 13.1, 6.2 Miles, Fourth of July Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K, Van Cortland Park, NYC - And Its Free - Read about It
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