Women runners and racewalkers will take over Holmdel Park on Aug. 30 for the 21st annual Saturday in the Park 5K. Conducted by the Jersey Shore Running Club, the theme is “Women Taking Steps to Help Women.”
Close to 500 women are expected to join in solidarity to raise funds for and promote awareness of organizations that provide essential services to women and their children in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
The day’s activities include the women’s 5K run on the famed Holmdel Park crosscountry course, a scenic 3-mile walk at 9 a.m. and children’s races at approximately 10 a.m.
Race-day registration begins at 8 a.m. Entry fees are $30, and $5 for children’s races. Participants who raise $75 or more in pledges receive free entry. All women in the 5K will receive a high-quality, wicking tank top and finishers gift.
“We are very excited to be celebrating our 21st year. The main reason for celebration is knowing that this race annually supports programs dedicated to providing shelter, counseling, advocacy and education for women and their families in both Monmouth and Ocean counties,” Jersey Shore Running Club Race Director Penny Hinck said in a press release. “Past participants of Saturday in the Park have consistently remarked about how they have been touched by the ceremony at the start of the race, when the runners and walkers join hands and realize the need for all of us to come together to support these ‘safe harbors’ for women and their families.”
This year, Manna House of Cliffwood Beach and Providence House of Catholic Charities in Ocean County are the beneficiaries.
Since its inception, Saturday in the Park has raised over $208,600 and created greater public awareness of options and services available to women.
The Saturday in the Park event was first staged at Bodman Park in Middletown, and it was then held at Monmouth University and Brookdale Community College before finding its home at Holmdel Park in 1999. For this 21st year, organizers are extending free entry to any previous-year champion and are reaching out to past participants to see how many years they may have participated, planning to recognize those who have participated most frequently. Those past participants can email [email protected].
The Saturday in the Park 5K has enjoyed enthusiastic support from many high school and youth athletic teams. To show appreciation to those teams and to encourage continued support of Saturday in the Park and the race’s beneficiaries, awards will be given to the top three teams based on their number of participants. Awards will be a contribution to team funds of the three largest teams.
Members of the race committee include Jersey Shore Running Club members and charity representatives Cathy Berth, Mindy Brady, Jim Buckler, Lorraine Buckler, Dawn Ciccone, Barbara Hay, Eileen Higgins, Philip Hinck, Karen Hornberger, Elizabeth Ireland, Suzanne Parton, Luann Russell, Erin Shealy, Joanne Sodano and Theresa Veilleux.
Sponsorship opportunities and donations for goodie bag items are still available. All sponsors will receive signage recognition and be highlighted in the event program. Individuals and companies may contact Penny Hinck at 732-571-2162 or [email protected].
More information on the race can also be found at www.saturdayinthepark5k.org.