By Robert Cavanaugh
RED BANK – Competitive runners looking for the next challenge or people looking to keep active and run or walk a 5K may be interested in the 21st annual 2014 George Sheehan Classic set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, June 14.
More than 2,500 runners are expected to participate in the 5K run/walk, which is considered one of the Jersey Shore’s most renowned road races.
Pre-registration is still available, and the 5K is filling up quickly; the race is limited to 3,000 entrants.
The George Sheehan Classic 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. Last year, the Sheehan family released a new book of his life’s work to commemorate the 20th year of his passing.
As part of the Sheehan Classic, Friday evening, June 13, is the kids’ classic, a series of children’s races of various distances for toddlers to those age 13. Part of the kids’ classic includes face painting, characters and treats from area establishments, like Smoothie King. Free entertainment accompanies the kids’ races at the Runner’s Expo Village on the banks of the Navesink River. Saturday, June 14, event finishers enjoy a famous picnic in the park, sponsored by Jersey Mike’s, Johanna Farms and Sickles Market, followed by a popular post-race block party with music.
At stake this year is more than $2,500 in prize money that will be distributed in the 5-kilometer run to top five overall finishers, top New Jersey finishers and age-category winners. Last year’s overall winners were Andrew Brodeur in a time of 15 minutes, 12 seconds and Jennifer Malavolta in a time of 17:48.
Bimbo Bakeries, CBRichardEllis, Meridian Health System, Riverview Medical Center and Morgan Stanley sponsor the Sheehan Classic. Other sponsors are Red Bank Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, McLoone’s Restaurants, Howley Financial Group, Road Runner Sports, Brannigan’s Bar & Grill, Merrill Lynch and Mountain Hill School. The Jersey Shore Running Club sponsors the Kids’ Classic.
The race is part of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, sponsored by McLoone’s; it’s a series of races that offer prize money to overall and age category winners. The five events are: Spring Lake 5, George Sheehan Classic, Belmar 5, Asbury Park 5K & Pier House 5K.
For the 11th anniversary of the series, those who participate in all five 2014 races will get a $50 McLoone’s restaurant gift card, plus entry into a drawing for a grand prize valued at $1,000.
Additional information is available by visiting www.jsgrandprix.com.
Registration for the Sheehan Classic and Kids Classic can be found at www.sheehanclassic.org.
Sheehan Classic Events are:
– Friday, June 13, from 2 to 8 p.m. – The Runner’s Expo Village in Marine Park offers an opportunity to see the latest in running, health and fitness, and pick up some great bargains. Free.
– Friday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. – Sheehan Kids’ Classic in Marine Park is a series of races for kids ages 1-13. Medals and treats for all finishers. Registration is $15.
– Saturday, June 14, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Runner’s Expo Village in Marine Park continues.
– Saturday, June 14, 8:30 a.m. – Start of the Sheehan Classic 5K on Broad Street.
– Saturday, June 14, at 10 a.m. – Awards ceremony and post-race party, Marine Park.
Robert Cavanaugh is an elite runner and owner of RTC Training.
