Sheehan Classic returns to Red Bank next weekend Annual race attracts marathoners from around the world

By Warren Rappleyea

Sheehan Classic returns to Red Bank next weekend
Annual race attracts marathoners from
around the world

One of the state’s most anticipated races returns to Red Bank next week, bringing a slew of race-related activities with it.

More than 3,500 people are expected to participate in the George Sheehan Classic five-mile run on Aug. 12, and another 500 will participate in a variety of other events that begin on Aug. 11, said race director Bob Rosa.

In addition to the five-mile main event, which begins and ends in Red Bank, the Sheehan Classic weekend also includes the Kids Classic, a variety of short races for youngsters ages 4-13, set for Aug. 11, a five-mile wheelchair race and a two-mile health and fitness walk. Frank Shorter, the famed marathoner, will speak briefly following the kids’ race and again on the 12th in Marine Park following the five-miler.

As usual, Rosa and his race committee have come up with a few new twists. The traditional Friday night pasta dinner has been scrapped because of dwindling attendance. Organizers have replaced it with a free concert by Tim McLoone & the Atlantic Coast Band, with the Shirleys in Marine Park.

Organizers are also holding a special raffle to benefit the Family Health Clinic of Red Bank, a free medical treatment facility for people without health insurance. Tickets are $10 and will be available throughout the festivities.

The drawing will be held on Aug. 12 at 11 a.m. and the winner need not be present.

The Classic is also accepting online registration through its Web site www.sheehanclassic.org.

Rosa noted that about 10 percent of the 2,100 people already registered have done so electronically.

A local Internet company, Sportsjuice.com will broadcast the race approximately 24 to 48 hours after it concludes. Check the site for details.

Former race director John Haulenbeek, still a member of the Race Committee, will handle the commentary.

As always, all participants will receive a T-shirt. This year the goody bag includes a plastic pint beer mug. All finishers receive medals.

Rosa said registrations are running on schedule, as most participants do not register until the last two weeks before the event. Organizers will accept registrations until race time, he said.

Several world class competitors will be on hand. On the men’s side, four Kenyans are the current favorites: Daniel Kihara, David Njuguna, Sammy Ngeno and Charles Njeru. Last year’s winner John Mwai has yet to register.

On the women’s side, Kenyan Kim Saddik who won two years ago is back; along with countrywomen Katherine Ndereba, who won the Boston Marathon in 1999, and Anastasia Ndereba; Tatyania Potdnyakova, a Ukrainian who finished first in the Houston Marathon earlier this year. Maria Rodtchenkova, of Russia, and Wilna von Onna, of the Netherlands, will also compete.

Despite the presence of elite runners, Rosa said the Classic is really a local race, with about half the field coming from the surrounding communities. Besides a challenging course, the weekend includes a variety of informational events.

And after the five-miler, runners are treated to plenty of food, including submarine sandwiches donated by Jersey Mike’s subs.

"If you drew a circle out 10 miles from the starting line, that’s where the majority of our runners come from," he said. "That kind of support means a lot to us. But we also get our share of runners from Brooklyn and quite a few from Staten Island."

A year ago, the field included runners from 26 states and five countries, and Rosa is hoping to match or better that this time. Though he didn’t have a count as yet, the director noted that a runner from Hawaii is registered.

The five-mile course remains the same for the fourth straight year, starting and ending on Broad Street in Red Bank and dancing through the neighboring towns of Fair Haven and Little Silver. It also includes an out-and-back aspect along Harding Road.

Between miles three and four, the course winds through the residential sidestreets of Fair Haven. Just past the four-mile mark runners get to climb Tower Hill, but it’s downhill on the other side and relatively flat from there to the finish.

"We take people up the hill the long, slow way," Rosa said. "It’s tough, but not as bad as the short, steep way."

The race director said that although the race begins and ends in Red Bank, it belongs to Fair Haven and Little Silver, too.

"All three of these towns have been great to us," he said. "We could never have a race this size without their help."

Other activities include a Runner’s Expo in Marine Park from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 11 and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug 12. Admission is free.

Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, also holds a Health Expo that provides an array of important educational services, such as blood pressure screening, body composition analysis, skin cancer screening and runner’s gait analysis.

The Kids Classic will begin at 6 p.m. on Aug. 11. A five-mile wheelchair race will start at 8:25 a.m. The five-mile Classic begins at 8:30 a.m., with the Health & Fitness Walk following at 8:40 a.m.

Entries for the five-milers are $22. Entries for the fitness walk and Kids Classic are $15. For more information, call (732) 988-7725 or visit Web site mentioned above. Race results will be posted on the site.

The site also includes a schedule and description of the events, race registration information, detailed course maps, and hotel information and directions.