Record Number Of Participants Set For Princeton Half Marathon

Princeton NJ -- A record number of runners will converge on Princeton for this year’s HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon.

The race is drawing a record number 1,750 runners, to be joined by 5,000 spectators for the fourth running of what is becoming an iconic event in Princeton on Sunday, Nov. 6, organizers said.

“We couldn’t be more excited to once again bring the HiTOPS Princeton Half to our community,” HiTOPS Interim Executive Director Bill Schofield said. “This is not only our largest single fundraiser, but it’s also one of the largest scale events in the region.”

Based in Princeton, HiTOPS Adolescent Health Education works statewide to provide comprehensive sexuality education, promote healthy relationships and foster supportive connections.

“We believe that community health starts with healthy young people,” Tracey Post, HiTOPS Board President Tracey Post said. “We teach young people how to navigate adolescence, and make responsible decisions about their health and relationships. Adolescence is a challenging time, and HiTOPS is here to help educators, parents and youth along the way.”

It’s fitting, then that the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon is also a challenging course.

Described as “hilly” by some, it passes through numerous historical and cultural Princeton neighborhoods and landmarks, including the Princeton Battlefield and the campuses of Princeton University, Westminster Choir College, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Institute for Advanced Study. The course also includes climbs up Washington and Herrontown roads.

The course record is one hour, 12 minutes, 10 seconds, set by 25-year-old Zach Rivers during last year’s race.

A total of 80 runners competing in this year’s race have also competed in the previous three. That group includes 78-year-old Duncan McMillan, the oldest runner in the race.

At 14 years old, Ryan Capuzzi, of Belle Mead, is the youngest runner in the field.

“He just started on his Montgomery High School cross country team this year, and when he found out his last meet would be (Nov. 2), he was excited to be free and clear to do the Princeton half," Ryan's mother, Karen, said. "I suspect he will come in a good half hour before me. My biggest concern isn't his age or ability, it's him staying warm while he has to wait for me to finish.”

Runners from 32 states and five countries will participate, with most runners coming from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Massachusetts.

This year, there is a Grand Prize awarded to the top male and female finisher. Hamilton Jewelers and Tag Heuer have partnered to donate two Tag Connected Timepieces worth each worth over $1,500.

Every participant will receive a unique tee-shirt featuring this year’s “mascot,” the Princeton Dinky. A contest on social media revealed overwhelming support for the Dinky to be the icon to represent the race. Previous figureheads include Einstein and the famed Black Squirrel.

“We’re calling on the entire Princeton community to come out on Sunday, November 6, to cheer on the runners of the HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon,” Post said.

Many have already heeded the call. The Princeton Half Marathon Facebook page already has nearly 3,000 followers.

To find a good viewing location near you visit princetonhalfmarathon.com to see the course map.
The HiTOPS Princeton Half Marathon is made possible by the following sponsors:

• Cause Sponsor – Trojan Brands, Church & Dwight
• Finish Line Sponsor – OrangeTheory Fitness, Princeton
• Victory Village Sponsor – WPST
• Water Stations Sponsor – Coloplast
• Bib Sponsor – NRG
• Runners Bag Sponsor – Fairleigh Dickenson University

Princeton’s municipal government, Princeton University, The Institute of Advanced Study and the Princeton Police Department also partnered with HiTOPS to put together the race.

“The police do an incredible job helping to make sure this event is first and foremost safe,” Schofield said. “Many people don’t know that the roads are actually not closed for the race. It’s a carefully coordinated ballet, of sorts, between police and trained community volunteers, to hold and release traffic throughout the 3 hour event that goes from the center of town, to the Princeton Battlefield, up to the top of Mount Lucas, and back again.”

TIMELINE OF EVENTS ON SUNDAY NOV 6:

6 a.m.-7 a.m.: Victory Village Open – Hinds Plaza, Princeton
(Food provided by the “Feed Truck,” merchandise, and more)
7 a.m.: RACE STARTS (late participants will not be allowed to run)
9 a.m.: Medals and Awards (Victory Village)
9 a.m.-noon: Kegs & Eggs: Post-Race all you can eat buffet for racers and spectators
Alchemist & Barrister, 28 Witherspoon Street

The attached image of the runners and the embedded image of Ryan Capuzzi were provided