The Frog Hollow Swim & Tennis Club’s annual 5K Fun Run kicks off this Saturday in South Amboy at 9 a.m.
This year marks the 29th running of the race, Race Director Dan McCrone said. About 200 runners are expected for what is one of the best-kept secrets in road racing, including a group of about 25 “regulars” who take the NJ Transit train from Manhattan each year to participate.
Three years organizers changed the challenging and hilly five-mile course into a 5K in order to attract more runners, McCrone said. Now the course is relatively flat with a downhill ending that should aid runners’ times.
“It’s downhill all the way,” McCrone joked. “People like the shorter distance and they like a fast course. This year we had to change the course a bit because of some construction in South Amboy, but it’s still fast.”
Runners will start at the corner of Ferris Street and South Pine Avenue. After making a right onto Bordentown Avenue runners proceed to John T. O’Leary Blvd. and then make their way through the Middlesex County Park before returning to O’Leary Blvd. and on to Broadway and to the finish line near the rear entrance of Frog Hollow.
If the course works out, McCrone said the club will have it certified by the ASATF in time for next year’s race.
There will be two water stops along the route and timers at each mile. Participants can partake in a post-race cookout and may use the swim club’s facilities for the day.
The race fee is $25 as is the fee for the 5K Health and Fitness Walk that begins at 9:15 a.m., participants will receive a T-shirt. There’s also a free kids fun run, which begins at 8:30 a.m.
Proceeds will benefit the South Amboy Fire and First Aid departments.
– Warren Rappleyea