Belmar is hot

Complete Results  -  Photos of Start - Photos of Finishers

Video 1 --  Video 2 - Video 3

The 5:35 AM big red sunrise through some clouds overlooking the Atlantic Ocean portended some hot weather later as runners gathered for the Annual Belmar Five Mile Race on Saturday, July 10, 2010 in the Jersey Shore town of Belmar. NJ.

As race time approached more clouds gathered and finally the rain fell starting at about 7:30 am until about 8:15 am about 15 minutes before the start.  The two thousand plus runners were waiting under every conceivable cover from the rain from the many pop up tents scattered at the park, the large gazebo by the lake and  by the lake to the Pavilion on the ocean.   The announcer could be heard encouraging the runners to make their way to the start on Ocean and Second Avenue near the bridge into Avon which was raised to stop all traffic while it was still raining. Most held their ground hoping that the rain would pass and it did.

As the runners stood at attention for the playing of the National Anthem at the start the rain had all but stopped.  the rain brought some relief from the torrid temperatures so although it was still hot and humid with temperatures at the start around 80 degrees it was significantly better than what many anticipated or feared.

The gun went off at precisely 8:30 am for the wheelchair races and a few minutes later the runners and walkers took off. They proceed south along Ocean Avenue into Spring Lake and around the lake in Lake Como back onto Ocean Avenue and then around Silver Lake to the finish on the North side of the Lake.

The first wheelchair finisher in a time of 25:46 was Jerson Calderon of Hillsdae, NJ.

For the runners the men's winner was 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 For these two it was a repeat win from the George Sheehan Classic held a few weeks earlier and also part of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix series of races.

Runners kept finishing for another hour plus as the several thousand participants made their way around the course.

Runners were treated to snacks and refreshments in the park.  After the last finisher there were awards presented to the top finishers as well as the age group winners.

The party continued at Bar Anticipation where team awards were presented..

On Friday evening prior to the race Kid's Races and a 3.5 Mile Fitness Walk were held followed by a movie in the park and then a firworks display over the ocean.  Several hundred kids participated in the races.

Next up in the Jersey Shore Grand Prix is the Asbury Park 5K on August 14.