The streets of Freehold Borough will be echoing to the sounds of hundreds of running shoes hitting the pavement on Friday morning when the 17th Annual Born to Run five-mile race is held.
Always one of the most popular events on the road-racing calendar, this year’s race will commence at 11 a.m. The race will begin and end at the intersection of Court and Broad streets. The race includes a trip through Lake Topanemus and the two climbs up the Pond Road hills that race director Hank Bailey refers to as Heartbreak Hill because it comes near the finish line as the runners head toward Monument Street.
Last year, local "King of the Roads" Dave DeMonico won his record fourth Born to Run race in 25:37. The South River runner is expected to go for No. 5 on Friday.
Freehold’s Madelyn Noe-Schlentz, the women’s version of King of the Road, was the 2000 women’s winner in 29:15 (she was 11th overall in the field of more than 500 runners and racewalkers).
The Born to Run is again expecting another field of more than 500 runners and racewalkers. The race has gained its popularity from its competitive level, attracting many of the top road racers, college and even high school cross country runners, as well as those home for the Thanksgiving Holiday and looking forward to running off their excess calories from a turkey dinner.
Besides the awards to the overall men’s and women’s winners, there are awards for age-group winners, racewalkers and Clydesdale division. Trenton’s 86-year-old Fred Ely is expected to run in this year’s race. He has run the course in 41:00.
Race day registration will be held at the Freehold Firehouse on Main Street. Postrace refreshments will be courtesy of the Court Jester and Mike Page.
This year’s sweatshirts will have the Born to Run logo on the front and an American flag on the back with "God Bless America" written across it.
Proceeds from this race will go to the Monmouth County Child Abuse Task Force. That is a source of pride for Bailey.
"I am proud that we have raised $93,000 for the Monmouth County Child Abuse Task Force," Bailey said. "I hope we exceed $100,000 this year."
The Freehold Area Running Club organizes the event from registration and monitors on the course to split times at every mile and the awards ceremony.
"Without Linda Hyer (FARC president) this race would not be possible," noted. "She is held in such high esteem by Freehold Area Running Club members that she attracts their support and cooperation."
Traffic control for the race is provided by Cpl. Reynolds’ Detachment of the Marine Corps League.
For additional information on the Born to Run race or to register, call (732) 780-5959.