The Freehold Area Running Club’s Summer Race Series has stood the toughest test of all — time. This summer the club celebrated 30 years of hosting its race series at Battlefield State Park in Manalapan. That impressive run makes the series one of the longest in the shore area.
On a hot, humid Wednesday night in 1982, several runners got together to start a running club. The founders were Stan Anselowitz, Ed Daley, Don Deneck (deceased), Paul Fitch, Ralph Garfield, Sue Gilbert, Woody Gloth, Jerry Hamm, Frank Haviland, Florence Hawarden, Jack Jacoby, John Jennings, Pam Madge Spadola, Avram Shapiro, Janis Ticky, Joe Tyberghein and Hal Smith.
Nine of the founders were on hand for the Founders 5K that was held on Aug. 1 to celebrate the club’s founding. Today there are half-mile, 1-mile and 5K races. The club holds a dash for children to encourage youngsters to take an interest in the sport.
The club has more than 500 members and hosts two major races — the St. Paddy’s 10-mile run and the Born to Run 5- mile race.
The club hosts a Toys for Tots 5K in December to generate donations for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.
The next event on the club’s calendar will be the Moonlight-Flashlight 5K to be held on Aug. 30 at the Manalapan Recreation Center, Route 522, Manalapan. The run through the park will start at 7:30 p.m. For more information about the Freehold Area Running Club, visit www.farcnj.com.