The 35th annual Belmar Five Johnny Cobb Memorial Five Mile Run is set for Saturday morning July 9, 2011 at 8:30 am.. More than 3,000 runners are expected to participate, according to race director Phil Hinck.
The race is presented by the Belmar Goodwill Hose Fire Company and the Jersey Shore Running Club.
The race has a long history at the Jersey Shore as one of the longest running road races in the area. It has traditionally attracted some of the top runners and fast times.
In 1995 the race was without a sponsor and there was a possibility that it would not be held. The Jersey Shore Running Club and other members of the Belmar Community banded together to organize and stage the race and it has flourished ever since increasing in numbers just about every year.
The 5-miler is the third leg of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, which also includes the Spring Lake Five, the George Sheehan Classic, Asbury Park 5K and the Pier House 5K.
Last year’s winners were James Gathoga of Newark, NJ in a time of 24:40 and for the women it was Noel Brock of Toms River, NJ in a time of.28:35
Photos of Last Year’s Start - Photos of Finishers - Article on Last Year's Race
The course records stand at 23:26 for the men's race, set by Brent Barnhill in 1987, and 26:39 for the women's race, set by Elaine van Blunk in 1990.
The race features a fast, flat course that begins on Ocean Avenue near the bridge into Avon It includes an out-and-back leg on Ocean Avenue and goes around Lake Como and Silver Lake before finishing on the north side of Silver Lake.
Kids Races and a fitness walk will be held on Friday evening starting at 6:30 pm. A movie will be shown, and there will be a fireworks following the events.
Many local organizations support the event, including members of the Goodwill Hose Company who will be at various locations performing many of the required functions during the race.
The Jersey Shore Running Club, Shore Athletic Club, Freehold Area Running Club and the Ocean Running Club will also be there to support the event..
Organizations that would like to get involved in the event are welcome to contact Race Director, Phil Hinck at phinck@comcast.net. Volunteer organizations will receive a donation for their efforts. Individual volunteers are also welcome - all will receive a commemorative t-shirt.
The race is named for the late Johnny Cobb, a longtime supporter of the race., Cobb was a 25-year veteran of the Belmar Police Department and member of the Goodwill Hose Fire Company.
On line Registration is available at Active.com
On-site registration is available on the Belmar Boardwalk on Wednesday and Friday of race week at Taylor Pavilion located at 5th Ave from 6-8:30 pm. On Thursday runners can register at the Goodwill Fire House located at 610 7th Avenue in Belmar from 6-8:30 pm and on Saturday before the race at Taylor Pavilion beginning 7 am,
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