Asbury Park Sheehan Classic 5K road race is Aug 11

The fifteenth annual Asbury Park Sheehan Classic 5K road race is August 11, 2018 beginning at 8:30 a.m and it promises to be a lot of fun for both runners and spectators alike.

On Saturday, August 11th, the Jersey Shore Running Club will present the Asbury Park Sheehan Classic 5K road race and Kids Races. The Sheehan Classic and Asbury Park 5K race committees are happy to announce that the merging of two great events into the Asbury Park Sheehan Classic was a great success. Both races have had 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 11, 2018 in Asbury Park. Combining the twenty two year history of the Red Bank race with the fourteen years of knowledge and constant growth of the Asbury Park 5K should produce one great race with an expected 2,500 participants.

Back to its roots, 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. We are continuing with the Asbury Park 5K tradition of a tie-dyed event with the shirts, awards, medals and many other items in festive colors.

This is a local race presented by local organizations with cooperation from the Shore Athletic Club (SAC), the Jersey Shore Running Club (JSRC), and the Freehold Area Running Club (FARC) to raise funds for local Jersey Shore non-profits, such as the Asbury Park Music Foundation, Mary’s Place by the Sea, Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County, Asbury Park, and other local organizations which can often be overlooked by larger fundraisers.

Registration for the Classic 5K is open to all and registration fee is now $30 through August 7, then $35 through Friday, August 10, and $40 on race day, August 11. 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 Bradley 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, a post-race party at Robinson’s Ale House, 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 over the years, including: Friends of the Spring Lake Five, McLoone's Restaurants, iStar AsburyParkNow.com, New Jersey Natural Gas Company, Johanna Foods/Wakefern, Campbell, Foley, Delano & Adams, LLC., BHHS Signature Properties, Bimbo Bakeries, Robert A. Galizio, Esq., Pringle-Quinn-Anzano, and Dr. T Shirt.

According to race director, Phil Hinck, 1800 runners participated in the race in 2017 and he expects over 2000 finishers this year. He stated the Asbury Park race began 14 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 visit www.asburypark5k.org to register online or request a registration form from the Jersey Shore Running Club Web site. You can also register in person on Friday, August 11 at the Packet Pickup taking place 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in Bradley Park across from Convention Hall. “Last Minute Lous” can sign up Saturday morning, August 11, 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 recognition to series participants, sponsored by McLoone’s. The four 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.

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