SOME CHANGE IN PACE IN JULY
SUMMER SERIES RACES START ON JULY 3RD
It's summer and time to have some summer-time fun. The Morris County Striders kick off their cross country summer series races this Tuesday at Johanson Field in Boonton Township. Although it is a cross country race, it is a relatively wimpy course and perfect for those who have feared to tread cross country. Racers run the perimeter of the sports fields on grass with no rock, roots nor hills.
In addition to the 3rd of July, there will be two more in July on the 17th and 31st with the final on August 7th. Those who compete in three out of the four will be eligible for awards in the series. For information go to www.morriscountystriders.com.
The club is clear that this is no frills racing with no t-shirts or goodie bags. Age division winners may select from an array of hand-me-down trophies (the name-plates are new with the series name etched on), race t-shirts from other races, or other items related to running. Morris Country Strider members and kids up to age 17 pay just $6.00 on race day while non-members pay $10.00. That's a bargain when you throw in the all-you-can-eat pizza after the race.
FIRECRACKER ON THE FOURTH
It is out of Morris County but draws a lot of runners from this area, possibly because it has been around for so long and possibly because it has become a tradition to start off the fourth of July holiday with the Cranford Firecracker Four Mile run. A lot of people show up for the race, some serious racers and many who may run only this one race each year. But it is a lot of fun with a festive atmosphere, balloons, popcorn and ice cream along with a very interactive DJ.
TRACK AND FIELD ON THE 7TH
Things will be a little more intense at the USATF-New Jersey Track & Field Championships on Saturday, July 7th at Monmouth University in West Long Branch. But even track racing can be fun and in particular clubs are encouraged to come on down for some relay racing. Even distance racers can find an event with a 10,000 meter race opening the card at 8:00 a.m. If that is too daunting then the 5,000 meters begins at 9:00 a.m. The 800 meter run is at 12:20 p.m. and the 1,500 meters is at 3:15 p.m. Relays are at 4:00 p.m. More information is at www.usatfnj.org.
An unfortunate scheduling conflict has occurred this year with the East Region Open Track & Field Championship being held on the same day in Albany. New Jersey locked in the seventh believing that the regional meet was being held on a different weekend. Later, that meet was forced to change to the same date as New Jersey. Scheduling conflict is a never-ending problem for meet organizers.
It will force Open New Jersey athletes to choose which meet they will attend. Masters are not affected. The following weekend the national club championships are being held at Icahn Stadium in New York. Check it out at www.usatf.org/events.
TRIATHLETES TAKE TO THE WATER AND ROADS IN RANDOLPH
From the track to the water and the bike. According to the website, the Randolph Sprint Triathlon on July 8th is closed out, but triathlons are great spectator events so if you have not entered yet, you can still go and watch and encourage the athletes. The swim is in Randolph Lake with the bike leg going out to Chester on Route 513, and then back on Pleasant Hill Road through Chester and Ironia. The 5K run course is partly on trails and partly on roads. Check it out at www.randolphtri.com.
RUN FOR CASH ON THE 12TH
Remember the 5,000 Strides in Morris Township in early June? If you ran it and now run in the Lawyers for Kids 5K on Thursday evening, July 12th you will be eligible for a cash prize drawing with the top prize of $500.00. Traditionally winners of races win that kind of money but here the lowly middle-of-the pack runner has a chance.
RUNNERS WILL TAKE OVER MORRISTOWN ON THE 19TH
Most of the runners at the Verizon Wireless Corporate Classic 5K in Morristown on Thursday, July 19th are middle-of-the pack runners. The race will draw from the huge corporate runner pool, but as was done in 2006, unaffiliated runners may enter as well.
For more information go to www.verizonwirelessclassic.com.
That will wrap up July for the local races, but a warning to all the procrastinators out there. You missed it! The River to Sea Relay on August 4th closed out even before the deadline of July 1st.
Originally published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, July 1, 2007
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2007
