Post by admin on Nov 25, 2009 17:29:47 GMT -5
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Born to Run race marks 25th year
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
The streets of Freehold Borough will be filled with runners on Nov. 27, just as they have been for the past 25 years.
The Freehold Area Running Club's Born To Run 5-mile race through the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods will celebrate its 25th running on the day after Thanksgiving.
Because of its timing, a holiday that brings families together, the Born To Run event has been one of the most popular and enduring races on the road racing calendar. Start time is 11 a.m. Nov. 27.
The name of the race is, of course, a nod to borough native Bruce Springsteen and the album he released in 1975, "Born to Run."
A strong pre-race registration could make this the biggest field yet (the record number of entries is 850), according to race director Bob Hyer.
That is a far cry from the first Born to Run race in 1985. At that time the race started on Main Street and was part of Freehold Day. Jim Casey, the area's reigning King of the Roads at the time, won the inaugural event in a time of 25:35. Pam Madge was the women's winner in a time of 33:54. The 1985 race drew 200 runners.
In 1991 the race was moved to the day after Thanksgiving and it quickly became a very popular post-holiday event. Last year there were 802 participants.
Prize money has helped to draw more people to the event, Hyer noted. The male and female winners each receive $100; the runner-ups receive $75; and third place receives $50. If the male or female winner (or both) breaks the course record he or she will earn another $100.
Kevin Kelly, a former Freehold High School runner, holds the course record of 24:45 set in 1997. Kelly will be returning to this year's Born to Run race.
Dave DeMonico (25:07), Tim Mulligan (25:20) and Jim Casey (25:21 and 25:35) round out the five fastest times for the race. DeMonico, of South River, Middlesex County, has won the Born to Run race seven times.
The women's course record is 27:59 set by Michele Lilenthal in 2006. Laurie Corbin (28:43) and Madelyn Noe-Schlentz (28:56) posted the second and third fastest marks when they went one-two in 1996. Jessica Thomas (29:13) and Noe-Schlentz (29:15) complete the top five women's times.
Last year's women's race was one to remember as two of New Jersey's all-time great runners, Howell High School graduate Lindsey Gallo and Red Bank Regional High School graduate Amanda Trotter, finished together in 29:47. It was Garden State running royalty.
The 2008 men's race featured many of the top road racers in the state and it was Matawan's Victor Vientos who held off Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School standout Max Sparshatt (26:21) to earn the win. Shrewsbury's Shane Kimmins was third (26:24).
The Born to Run race no longer begins on Main Street. It now starts and finishes on Court Street. The runners head up Court Street past the Monmouth County Court House and race along the back streets of the borough. The race will take the field through Lake Topanemus Park. The runners will exit the park on Pond Road and head uphill back into Freehold Borough for the finish.
In addition to the prize money for the top three overall finishers, there are awards for the top finishers in age groups ranging from 14-and-under to 70-and-up. The first male and female racewalkers also receive awards.
In keeping with a tradition started by Hank Bailey, the first race director, the Marine Corps League Cpl. Phillip A. Reynolds Detachment, Freehold, will control traffic during the race. As Bailey liked to say, "Our streets are guarded by the U.S. Marines."
Another tradition of the race is that it serves as a fundraiser. The event will benefit the Open Door Food Pantry and Lake Topanemus Park.
Race day registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Freehold firehouse, 49 W. Main St. Runners can register online at Race forum or active. com. For more information, call the Freehold Area Running Club hotline at 732- 431-2627 or go to the Internet website at www.farcnj.com.
Born to Run race marks 25th year
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
The streets of Freehold Borough will be filled with runners on Nov. 27, just as they have been for the past 25 years.
The Freehold Area Running Club's Born To Run 5-mile race through the downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods will celebrate its 25th running on the day after Thanksgiving.
Because of its timing, a holiday that brings families together, the Born To Run event has been one of the most popular and enduring races on the road racing calendar. Start time is 11 a.m. Nov. 27.
The name of the race is, of course, a nod to borough native Bruce Springsteen and the album he released in 1975, "Born to Run."
A strong pre-race registration could make this the biggest field yet (the record number of entries is 850), according to race director Bob Hyer.
That is a far cry from the first Born to Run race in 1985. At that time the race started on Main Street and was part of Freehold Day. Jim Casey, the area's reigning King of the Roads at the time, won the inaugural event in a time of 25:35. Pam Madge was the women's winner in a time of 33:54. The 1985 race drew 200 runners.
In 1991 the race was moved to the day after Thanksgiving and it quickly became a very popular post-holiday event. Last year there were 802 participants.
Prize money has helped to draw more people to the event, Hyer noted. The male and female winners each receive $100; the runner-ups receive $75; and third place receives $50. If the male or female winner (or both) breaks the course record he or she will earn another $100.
Kevin Kelly, a former Freehold High School runner, holds the course record of 24:45 set in 1997. Kelly will be returning to this year's Born to Run race.
Dave DeMonico (25:07), Tim Mulligan (25:20) and Jim Casey (25:21 and 25:35) round out the five fastest times for the race. DeMonico, of South River, Middlesex County, has won the Born to Run race seven times.
The women's course record is 27:59 set by Michele Lilenthal in 2006. Laurie Corbin (28:43) and Madelyn Noe-Schlentz (28:56) posted the second and third fastest marks when they went one-two in 1996. Jessica Thomas (29:13) and Noe-Schlentz (29:15) complete the top five women's times.
Last year's women's race was one to remember as two of New Jersey's all-time great runners, Howell High School graduate Lindsey Gallo and Red Bank Regional High School graduate Amanda Trotter, finished together in 29:47. It was Garden State running royalty.
The 2008 men's race featured many of the top road racers in the state and it was Matawan's Victor Vientos who held off Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School standout Max Sparshatt (26:21) to earn the win. Shrewsbury's Shane Kimmins was third (26:24).
The Born to Run race no longer begins on Main Street. It now starts and finishes on Court Street. The runners head up Court Street past the Monmouth County Court House and race along the back streets of the borough. The race will take the field through Lake Topanemus Park. The runners will exit the park on Pond Road and head uphill back into Freehold Borough for the finish.
In addition to the prize money for the top three overall finishers, there are awards for the top finishers in age groups ranging from 14-and-under to 70-and-up. The first male and female racewalkers also receive awards.
In keeping with a tradition started by Hank Bailey, the first race director, the Marine Corps League Cpl. Phillip A. Reynolds Detachment, Freehold, will control traffic during the race. As Bailey liked to say, "Our streets are guarded by the U.S. Marines."
Another tradition of the race is that it serves as a fundraiser. The event will benefit the Open Door Food Pantry and Lake Topanemus Park.
Race day registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Freehold firehouse, 49 W. Main St. Runners can register online at Race forum or active. com. For more information, call the Freehold Area Running Club hotline at 732- 431-2627 or go to the Internet website at www.farcnj.com.