THE 13th ANNUAL ASBURY PARK SHEEHAN CLASSIC PROMISES TO BE A FUN DAY FOR ALL.

The Sheehan Classic and Asbury Park 5K race committees are happy to announce the merging of two great events, the Red Bank George Sheehan Classic and the Asbury Park 5K are now the Asbury Park Sheehan Classic. Both races have great traditions and we hope that the running community will continue to support this event. The 5K race and kid’s races will take place on Saturday August 13, 2016 in Asbury Park. Combining the twenty two year history of the Red Bank race with thetwelve years of knowledge and constant growth of the Asbury Park 5K should produce one great race with an expected 3,000 participants.

This is a local race presented by the local running community of the Shore Athletic Club (SAC), the Freehold Area RunningClub (FARC) and the Jersey Shore Running Club (JSRC) to raise funds for local Jersey Shore non-profits, local organizations which can often be overlooked by larger fundraisers. For 2016, event beneficiaries include Mary’s Place by the Sea, Ocean Grove, the Asbury Park Music Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County.

Back to its roots, The George Sheehan Classic actually 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. We plan on continuing with the Asbury Park 5K tradition of being a tie-dyed event with the shirts, awards, medals and many other items with the festive colors.
Registration for the Classic 5K is open to all and registration fee is now $28 through August 7, then $30 through Friday, August 12, and $35 on race day, August 13. The Asbury Park course is fast, flat and spectator friendly— those who come to watch will get to see the runners pass twice as the race features a double-loop course that begins at Bradley Park opposite Convention Hall at Sunset and Ocean Avenues. The course proceeds along Ocean Avenue prior to turning left onto Fifth Avenue. Another left will take runners onto Grand Avenue, then a slight left onto Cookman Avenue and back to Ocean Avenue before going around again with the final loop taking the runners up on the Boardwalk to the Finish.
With Kids’ Races immediately following the Classic 5K race in the park, it will be a fun-file day for the entire family. The Kids’ distances vary with the child’s age and all children receive a medal and refreshments. Plus you and the family can stop by the sponsor and merchant tables in Atlantic Square Park for sampling and giveaways. Other amenities for the race include a Massage Tent so you can loosen up those tired muscles, courtesy of AMTA massage volunteers, and the famous traditional, retro design tie-dyed racing shirt that guarantees no two shirts are alike that every runner and volunteer receives for their participation.
The race would not be able to take place without the generous support of many Jersey Shore businesses and organizations including: Friends of the Spring Lake Five, Spark Fitness, McLoone's Supper Club, iStar AsburyParkNow.com, Bimbo Bakeries, New Jersey Natural Gas, Meridian Health, CBRE, Campbell, Foley, Delano & Adams, LLC., The John C. Conover Agency, Robert A. Galizio, Esq., Pringle-Quinn-Anzano, Dr. T Shirt, and Madison Marquette.
According to race director, Phil Hinck, 1765 runners completed the race in 2015 and he expects over 2000 finishers this year. He stated the Asbury Park race began 13 years ago, and organizers picked the second Saturday in August for the 5K to pay tribute to the former Asbury Park 10K Classic, which moved up the Parkway to Red Bank in the 1990s to become the Sheehan Classic (marathon great Bill Rodgers won the first Asbury Park 10K in 1982). Hinck said 5K was selected as the distance to enable more people to compete. “The casual runner nowadays runs one or two miles and does other activities like cycling,” said Hinck. “To them, five miles seems a long way.” The race is geared toward runners of all abilities and Hinck encourages
runners and walkers alike to come out, have fun and spend a day at the beach.
It’s easy to register. Simply download a registration form from the Jersey Shore Running Club Web site or register online at: www.asburypark5k.org . You can also register in person on Friday, August 12 at the Packet Pickup taking place 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in Atlantic Square Park across from Convention Hall. “Last Minute Lous” can sign up Saturday morning, August 13, across from Convention Hall on Ocean Avenue starting at 7:00 a.m.
The Asbury Park 5K is the third event of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, a series of races that offers awards to overall winners and age-group category winner s sponsored by McLoone’s. The races are: Spring Lake 5, Belmar 5, Asbury Park Sheehan Classic and the Pier House 5K, held on Labor Day in Long Branch. Further information about the series can be found at www. jsgrandprix.com.