A runner couldn’t have expected more from the inaugural Twin Lights 5K Twilight Run in the Highlands.
The race on Aug. 10 had the unusual start time of 6 p.m., which added to the atmosphere. The finish line had the skyline of New York City in the background and the course was challenging, finishing with a 200-foot climb to the Twin Lights.
“There was a lot of ‘wow factor’ to this race for the 5K folks,” Michael Kelly, a Twin Lights Historical Society trustee and Twilight Run co-chair, said. “Not many running events offer such a dramatic and historic setting, especially when you add the challenge of a 200-plus-foot ascent to the finish line. The 6 p.m. start was also unusual.”
The course started at the top of Lighthouse Road, wiggled down through the town’s steep hills to Bay Avenue and then straight to Huddy Park, where the race turned and retraced its steps back uphill, with the finish line set up in front of the two towers, and the Atlantic Ocean and New York skyline as a backdrop.
“I’m impressed that every runner that started finished the race,” said Mary Jo Kenny, president of the Twin Lights Historical Society. “We had 105 start and 105 complete the course on a very warm summer evening. Many of the runners told us that cheering from the people in Highlands kept them going. Overall, the support from the town was exceptional.”
The first-place finisher of the inaugural Twin Lights 5K Twilight Run was veteran runner Mike Mooney of Jackson (17:45.7), with Matt Hanley of Ridgewood (18:01.5) and Justin Cabinian of Atlantic Highlands (19:44.3) taking second and third. The fourth-place finisher — and winner of the women’s category — was Stephanie Lasner of New City, N.Y., at 20:09.9. The secondand third-place finishers among the women were Melissa Fariello of Atlantic Highlands (22:56.4) and Heather Schlisserman of Tinton Falls (23:10.6). Highlands resident Dawn Ciccone (23:27) finished right behind them.
The fastest junior time was logged by Old Bridge’s 15-year-old Avery Templo (24:14.2).
The 5K Twilight Run was the latest in a series of events held at the Twin Lights to publicize the renovation and redesign of the Twin Lights Museum, which is expected to attract an additional 30,000 people to the national historic site annually. The site already draws 80,000 to 100,000 visitors a year.
According to trustee Mark Stewart, the bulk of the expense for the museum redesign is being shouldered by the Twin Lights Historical Society through an active network of donors and volunteers.
“The 5K race was our way of reaching out to an entirely new constituency to let them know about the amazing things that are happening up here at the Twin Lights,” said John Caroli, a society trustee and race co-chair with Michael Kelly. “The bonus is that what began essentially as a one-off event has quickly taken on a life of its own. I wouldn’t be surprised if we are turning away runners next summer.”
For additional information, call the lighthouse at 732-291-9900 or email [email protected].