For anyone who wants to work off the calories from Thanksgiving, Freehold Borough is the place to be. On Nov. 25, the FreeholdArea Running Club’s Born to Run 5-mile road race through town will give runners and race-walkers a chance to shed the pounds they may have put on the day before. The race is its 27th year.
The 11 a.m. race will begin and end on Court Street in Freehold Borough near the Monmouth County Hall of Records. The course will take participants through scenic Lake Topanemus Park in neighboring Freehold Township.
Pre-race registration will be held at the offices of Downtown Freehold, 10 E. Main St., Freehold Borough, beginning at 9 a.m. Registration on the day of the race is $30.
Last year’s race was won by Fanwood’s Michael Dixon in a time of 26:23.
The female winner was former Howell High School standout Lindsey Gallo, who now runs professionally. Gallo was sixth overall in a time of 29:26. It was her second consecutive win at the Born to Run race.
Isabel Meldrum of the Freehold Area Running Club said the club is expecting about 1,000 runners to participate in the event this year. Just under 700 people finished the race in 2010.
The Born to Run race — with its nod to Freehold Borough native Bruce Springsteen’s 1975 album “Born to Run” — has become one of the most popular and enduring road races in New Jersey.
Because so many runners who hail from the region are home for Thanksgiving, the race has developed into a family affair. Last year, runners representing 15 states participated in the event.
There is prize money for the top three male and female finishers, with $100 to the winner, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place. A$100 bonus will be paid to the male or female winner if they break the course record.
Former Freehold High School standout Kevin Kelly holds the course record at 24:45, set in 1997. Michele Lilenthal set the women’s record of 27:59 in 2006.
Awards will be presented to the top three finishers in age groups from 14-and-under to 70-and-up, as well as to the top three male and female race-walkers.
The Court Jester, East Main Street, is the primary sponsor of this year’s race, and proceeds from the event will go to the Freehold Open Door food pantry.
In keeping with a tradition started by the late race director Hank Bailey, the streets will be marshaled by the U.S. Marine Corps League.
Freehold Area Running Club President Mike O’Flaherty is the race director. For more information about the Nov. 25 Born to Run race or upcoming club activities, go to www.farcnj.com.