Belmar Five Mile Run set for July 8

On Saturday, July 8, the Borough of Belmar and the Goodwill Hose Fire Co., in collaboration with the Jersey Shore Running Club and all the local running clubs, will present the 41st Running of the Belmar Five Mile Run. 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; last year the men's champion was Ryan Mahalsky, 23, of Hillsborough, NJ in a time of 24:47 and for the women it was Clara Peterson, 32 of Corte Madera, CA in 28:29. This event is a not-for-profit event with all proceeds going to help the volunteer fire company and other volunteer groups who partner with the event.

Along with the main Five Mile event, we offer Kids’ Races scheduled for Friday night, July 7th, which have continued to become more popular each of the last several years. The kids will also have treats and entertainment, followed by Fireworks on the beach. All events will be held in Belmar, which is known, of course, for its’ beautiful beaches and newly refurbished boardwalk.

The Belmar Five began in August 1977, near the start of the “first running boom”. The event has been presented by various Belmar-oriented organizations over the years, from the Belmar Kiwanis
Club, to the Belmar Improvement Fund, to the current hosting organization Goodwill Hose Fire Company. Since its inception, race directors (and co-directors) have included Shore AC’s Tom Baum, Belmar Councilman Brian McGovern, Dean Shonts, Carol Roarty, Bob Both, Nancy Maupai, Fred Torres, and current director Philip Hinck, since 2000. The course has basically remained the same for all 40 years. About 15 years ago, the date was changed from August to mid-July to offer runners a mid-summer Jersey Shore experience, placing it in the middle of the summer-racing calendar.

Participants on race-day Saturday are treated to post race refreshments and a Health & Vendor Fair in Silver Lake Park. In addition, the random prize drawing, which includes free beach passes to some lucky participants, will take place during the awards ceremony. Over $2,000 in prize money is awarded annually to overall and age group winners. All are then invited to a Free Post Race Beach Party at Bar Anticipation, Lake Como, following the five mile run.

Last year nearly 3000 participants in the Belmar Five events and hundreds of volunteers made this race one of the premier racing events at the Jersey Shore. This year the goal, with the help of the Jersey Shore Running Club, is to attract 3500 participants.

Along with the primary-beneficiary fire company, Goodwill Hose Company No 1, additional groups receiving contributions from the event are local running clubs, soccer teams, Belmar Junior Lifeguards, and other organizations. Currently, Pringle, Quinn, Anzano, P.C. and Bar Anticipation sponsor the Belmar Five; other supporters include Lake Como Tourism, Wakefern, Echo Ink Custom Tees, SOAR Physical Therapy and Federico’s.

The Belmar Five is the second event of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, sponsored by McLoone's, a series of races that offers awards and prize money to overall winners and age group category winners, and recognition to those who run all events in the series. The four 2017 events are: Spring Lake 5, Belmar 5, Asbury Park Sheehan Classic 5K (August 12) & the Pier House 5K (Labor Day) in Long Branch. Further information can be found on the series website, www.jsgrandprix.com

Registration for the Belmar Five is still available; early registration is suggested. In addition to their custom-designed participant t-shirt, the first 2,000 pre-registered runners will receive a commemorative tote bag. You can register through the mail, online, or in person Wednesday thru Friday of race week - July 5h, 6th & 7th, 6-8 pm. For locations and race information: visit www.belmar5.com , or call 732 571 2162.

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