The 18th annual George Sheehan Classic 5-mile road race kicks off on Saturday at 8:30 a.m., and about 2,000 runners are expected to participate.
The USATF-certified 5-miler, which winds through Red Bank, Fair Haven and Little Silver, highlights the weekend’s festivities. A2-mile health and fitness walk will start a few minutes after the main event. A wheelchair race precedes the run at 8:30 a.m., and the Kids Classic, a series of short races for children ages 4-13, will be held Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Sheehan Classic is the second event of the Shore Golden Grand Prix, which also includes the Belmar 5 (July 9), theAsbury Park 5K (Aug. 13) and the Pier House 5K in Long Branch (Sept. 5). The series began with the Spring Lake 5 on May 28. Spring Lake Winners Michael Rolek (25:10) and Noel Brock Whitall (28:15), who won in Spring Lake for the fourth straight time, are expected at the Sheehan. Whitall has also dominated at the Sheehan, winning the past three Classics.
The five-mile Sheehan course begins on Broad Street before taking runners on an out-and-back trek along Harding Road. The course is mainly flat, but Tower Hill, just past the 4-mile mark, provides runners with a good test. After that it’s downhill to Broad Street and flat to the finish line. Digital clocks will be placed at every mile, and water stops will be at each mile and at the start and finish areas.
About 400 or so volunteers, mainly from the surrounding towns, will support the race, providing assistance at the start and finish lines, at water stops and all along the course, as well as at the other events throughout the weekend. Hinck is supported by a Race Committee comprising more than 30 people.
“We couldn’t do this without the support of all three towns and our volunteers,” he said. “They make it a great experience for the runners.”
A free Runner’s Expo will be open 2- 8:30 p.m. Friday and 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Marine Park. All entrants receive T-shirts, and all finishers will receive medals. Afree post-race picnic, also in Marine Park, is open to all participants.
Entries for the 5-miler will be available on race day for $35. Entries for the fitness walk are $25, and entries for the Kids Classic are $15. For more information, call 732- 988-7725 or visit the website at www.sheehanclassic.org.