On Aug. 9, the nation’s only connected twin lighthouse will connect with local runners for the Second Annual Twin Lights Twilight 5K Run. The course winds through the shore town of Highlands, beginning and ending on the grounds of the Twin Lights National Historic Site and Twin Lights Museum. The event benefits the Twin Lights Historical Society.
According to Society trustee and 5K Run co-chair Michael Kelly, the final 500 yards presents a unique uphill challenge — at an elevation of 260 feet above sea level. No run of this distance on the East Coast concludes at a higher elevation.
“What began as a one-off event has quickly taken on a life of its own,” added John Caroli, who is co-chairing the event with Kelly, in a prepared statement.
Start time has been set for 6:30 p.m. and registration for the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) can be found at RaceForum.com/Twinlights.
The North Tower will be open late to the public during the Twin Lights Twilight 5K Run, as will the generator building, which houses one of the world’s most massive Fresnel lenses. The air-conditioned Twin Lights Museum will be available as a cool-down area for runners and their friends and families. Free refreshments and healthy snacks will be available to everyone at the event.
More than 100 runners took part in the inaugural race and more are expected.
The entry fee for the race is $25 prior to July 25 and $30 from July 26 until Aug. 9 (race day entry is available from 4:30-5:30 pm at race site).
Registrants will each be issued a timing chip that is activated when they cross the starting line. All runners will receive a t-shirt commemorating the event, along with a 10 percent discount in the Museum Shop and a $50 Friends and Family membership to the Twin Lights.
The first-place finisher of the inaugural Twin Lights 5K Twilight Run was veteran runner Mike Mooney of Jackson (17:45.7). The fourth-place finisher — and winner of the women’s category — was Stephanie Lasner of New City, New York (20:09.9).
The Twin Lights Twilight 5K Run is part of a program launched by the Society to raise awareness of the historic site and encourage more day-trip tourism to the Route 36 corridor. Currently, more than 80,000 people visit the lighthouse, generating over $1.5 million a year for local economies.
For more information on the Twin Lights Twilight 5K, log onto twinlightslighthouse.com or call the lighthouse at 732.872.1814.