DOVER RENAINSANCE 5K AND SAFE DATING CHALLENGE, GOOD LOCAL CAUSES
The 2005 commemorative t-shirt given to all the runners at the Dover Renaissance 5K this Saturday, October 29th will show a banner celebrating twenty years. Runners might be confused, as the race is only in its fourteenth year, according to Pete Lee of Randolph, who has been the race director for all of those fourteen years.
What is being celebrated is the twentieth year of the Dover Renaissance organization that has been responsible for many improvements to the little town set along the Rockaway River. Lee, who is a competitive runner, began the race as a way to fund some of the programs that the town improvement group has implemented.
The goal was to beautify Dover, which they have done through clean-ups and flowers in public places. Along the way they have accomplished even more. They are responsible for an old-fashioned town clock on Blackwell Street, the main thoroughfare through the town. The group also contributed to getting a gazebo erected at the JFK Commons off Route 46.
After the 9/11 attack, a tribute to the victims was erected on one end of Blackwell, near the site of the start and finish of the 5K race.
Although the Dover Renaissance is a non-political organization, it is well supported by the local politicians and as this is an election year, some of the pols will be visible at the race as either runners, like Bill Shuler, who is running for re-election for alderman or Scott Miller, a candidate for mayor, who will be helping out at the finish of the race.
Driving the lead vehicle, his own restored 1950 police car, will be Jimmy Dodd who is also running for mayor. The current mayor, Javier Marin, will be starting the race.
“It’s great they are all keeping the politics aside and working together for the event,” said Lee.
Runners will not be focusing on the politicians but on their race. The course is considered fast with few hills and fewer turns. In 2004, Doug Clark of Morristown won the race in 16:38 with Kelly Bradley of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania leading the women in with a time of 18:46.
Teams are a big feature of the race with several local businesses vying for the distinction of fastest in town.
SAFE DATING CHALLENGE IN CONVENT STATION
While the Dover race is dedicated to the betterment of the town in which it is run, at the Safe Dating Challenge in Convent Station, the emphasis is on raising awareness of healthy relationships. Proceeds raised by the race, which goes off at noon on Sunday, October 30th, will go to the Jersey Battered Women's Service of Morris County and the Resource Center for Women and Their Families in Somerset County. Each organization offers dating abuse prevention programs and each is the only non-profit agency in their county specifically serving domestic violence victims and their families.
The 5K course goes through the campus of College of St. Elizabeth and uses part of the paved Traction Line Trail, one of the many off-road trails in Morris County.
Close to 400 runners competed in 2004, with close to 200 walkers participating in the one and half mile walk. In 2004 Joseph McVeigh of Convent Station won the race in 16:13 and Kathleen Castles of New Providence was the women’s winner in 18:15.
HITCH A RIDE TO THE ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON
New Jersey runners are fortunate to live near enough to New York City so that they can get themselves to the start of the ING New York City Marathon on Staten Island the morning of the race, this year on November 6th. Getting there is made easy for those who can get themselves to Cranford and have booked a seat on one of the three luxury buses that have been arranged by Mark Zenobia, of OnYourMarkProductions.
Two of runners most immediate concerns are taken care of when using a charter bus: One - each bus has restrooms, which enable the runners to avoid long lines at portable toilets at the start. Two – sports bags will be taken to the 4th Universalist Church near the finish. The church arrangement provides a gathering place with refreshments for depleted runners and a massage for sore muscles.
The buses will return to Cranford as each fills, with the last bus leaving at 6:00 p.m.
For complete details runners (and their support crew) can go to www.OYMP.net or call 732-381-0318.
Originally Published on Sunday, October 23, 2005 in the DAILY RECORD of Morris County
Copyright MADELINE BOST, 2005