Pier House 5K draws the curtain on 2015 Jersey Shore Grand Prix

The revitalized Long Branch beachfront will be the site of the 12th Annual Pier House 5K road race on Labor Day, Sept. 7.

Start time is 8:30 a.m. for the final race of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix.

The goal of the event is to bring community minded runners to Long Branch to see firsthand the amazing growth and post- Sandy rebirth in the area. Organizers and sponsors also hope to inspire runners of all abilities to participate in the Golden Grand Prix events organized by shore area running enthusiasts Tim McLoone and Phil Hinck.

The goal of the Golden Grand Prix, the co-organizers said, is to attract runners of all ages and talents to participate annually in the shore area races. To that end, there is open- and age-group prize money at the Golden Grand Prix events.

“The Pier House believes deeply in strong community relationships, and this is just one indication of that,” said McLoone, whose restaurant was one of the first projects opened in Pier Village, in a prepared statement.

In the past 11 years, race proceeds of more than $22,000 have been donated to several area charities, including Habitat for Humanity, CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Valerie Fund, Long Branch Recreation and the Long Branch Fire Company.

The 2015 race will benefit Holiday Express, which has a mission to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.

Participating volunteer groups from Monmouth University, local running clubs and area high school cross-country teams have also been presented with donations. The Jersey Shore Running Club is the largest running club in New Jersey with over 1,500 members. As the concluding race of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, sponsored by McLoone’s, prize money will be awarded to the top open- and age-group finishers. A commemorative gift will be presented to every runner who finished all five grand prix races: the Spring Lake 5, the Sheehan Classic, the Belmar 5, the Asbury Park 5K and the Pier House 5K.

For the 12th anniversary of the series, those who participate in all five 2015 races will each get a $50 McLoone’s restaurant gift card, plus entry into a drawing for a grand prize ($1,000 value).

Current Grand Prix leaders after four races are last year’s third-place Grand Prix finisher Brian Quilty of Brick for the men with 393 points and Jennifer Nelson of Barnegat with 378 points for the women.

Registration information for the Pier House 5K can be found at http://pierhouse5k.jsrc.org or by emailing [email protected].