Big-time road racing returned to Asbury Park on Saturday at the inaugural Asbury Park 5K, where the huge crowd of runners was treated to ideal running conditions, sandwiched between predictions of tropical storms.
Presented by the Shore AC in conjunction with the Jersey Shore Running Club and the Freehold Area Running Club, the 5K race featured a unique two-lap, spectator-friendly tour of the soon-to-be revitalized downtown beachfront area.
The first overall finisher was Nick Rogers of Red Bank in a time of 15:01. For the women it was Joanne Hennessey of Manasquan in a time of 17:19. Finishing out the top positions were Bill Hoffman, Eatontown, 15:31; Andrew Filacheck, Manalapan, 15:32; Dickson Mercer, Fair Haven, 15:54; and Ryan Williams, Milltown, 16:06.
For the women, KC Meehan, Brick, 17:31; Alicia Kelly, Spring Lake Heights, 17:39; Megan Phillips, Brielle, 17:46; and Jill Evarts, Middletown, 18:11, filled the top five spots. More than $2,000 in prize money was awarded in open and masters age-group categories.
"Road running has a great history in Asbury Park with the old Jersey Shore Marathon and Asbury Park 10K Classic, which routinely drew some of the world’s greatest runners", said co-race founder Tim McLoone. "So, it’s great to start another new tradition and contribute to the resurgence of Asbury Park".
The new race was sponsored by Sackman Enterprises, Asbury Partners, N.J. Natural Gas Co., and the Windmill Restaurants. Runners were also treated to a postrace pasta party, courtesy of the nearby WonderBar and the Adriatic Restaurant.
Proceeds of the Asbury Park 5K benefit the "Purpose at Heart" program of high school job training for Asbury Park youth.
"We love partnering with family events like these that help us bring people back to Asbury Park", said UEZ director Tom Gilmour.
The Asbury Park 5K was the fourth event of the five-race Meridian Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, (http://www.jsgrandprix.com), which ties together the top Shore summer races — the Spring Lake 5, the Sheehan Classic, the Belmar 5, Asbury Park, and the new Pier Village 5K In Long Branch, which concludes the Golden Grand Prix on Labor Day (Sept. 6). As part of the Meridian Grand Prix, prize money is awarded to the top finishers in the open race as well as in age groups. Points will also be awarded toward the overall grand prix standings.