SUMMER TIME AND THE RUNNING IS FUN TIME

Summer is the time to break loose and have some fun with your running. July will offer runners plenty of opportunities for some off-beat fun, starting with this Fourth of July.

Down in Linden they are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Linden 3 mile Road Race. Yes, celebrating a race that was held one hundred years ago is certainly a novelty, and it can be noted that back one hundred years, no one was racing metric distances, thus three miles, not 5K. But what makes this centennial race unique is that they are keeping the same entry fee – twenty-five cents. That’s right, for a quarter, you can enter the race and still expect refreshments afterward, and even a t-shirt, at least while they last. I am sure that they have no idea what number of racers to expect so if you plan to go, arrive early. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at Linden City Hall with the race going off at 10:00 a.m.

Many racers will be at the Firecracker Four Mile at Nomahegan Park in Cranford at 9:30 a.m.

On Thursday, July 7th the Lawyers for Kids 5K will go off at 7:15 p.m. at Ginty Field in Morris Township. Racers who ran in the 5,000 Strides 5K held on the same course on June 12th are eligible for a chance at a drawing for cash, $500. for first, $200. for second and $100. for third.

There has been an increase in the number of cyclists traveling past my home on Pleasant Hill Road in Randolph lately. Ah, yes, the Randolph Triathlon is next Sunday, July 9th and the cyclists are taking practice rides on the bike course. All activity takes place at Randolph Township Lake beginning with the first wave of swimmers in the water at 8:00 a.m. The 16.4 mile bike portion takes the riders down to Chester and back. The 5K run is a combination trails and roads. Even if you don’t compete, triathlons are great spectator events since you see the competitors three times during the contest.

Cross country’s the venue for the Morris County Striders Summer Series Cross Country 5K at Johanson Field off Powerville Road in Boonton Township. Two of the four series races take place in July, the first on Tuesday, the 11th and the next on the 25th. August dates are the 8th and the 22nd. Runners are scored in their best three of the four. All races start at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 21, with a of 7:00 p.m. is the date of the Run for Rich 5K at Swartswood State Park in Newton, one of the many 5K races hosted by the Bears Running Club. The run will raise funds to help defray expenses for the Fritzky family, whose father, Rich, is rehabilitating after an almost fatal case of rare Neisseria Meningitis. Rich lost his right leg and several fingers to amputation after the deadly bacteria ravaged his body.

Verizon Wireless is hosting the brand new Corporate Classic in Morristown on Thursday evening, July 20th. When the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge dropped Morristown, Verizon Wireless stepped in to keep the tradition of having a great corporate run. the Classic will follow a similar format as the departed race, but with some changes. Corporate teams are still the focus, but entry is open for individuals who are not on a corporate team. One welcome change is to the distance, now scaled down to a 5K, rather than the Corporate Challenge 3.5 mile. Emphasis is on fitness and fun, and while runners will have a finishing time recorded, there will be no age division awards. Registration and more information is at www.verizonwirelessclassic.com.

The last event in this July rundown, takes place on Saturday, August 5th, because the River to Sea Relay will close registration on July 9th.

Relay racers, with seven members on a team, begin at Milford on the Delaware River and finish on the beach in Manasquan - a distance of 92 miles broken into 14 segments with each team member running two legs. Staggered start times are based on each teams average 5K racing times, with the goal of all teams finishing in a near dead heat, if the calculations are accurate. Information is at www.oymp.net/r2c

Originally published on July 2, 2006 in the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey

Copyright, MADELINE BOST, 2006