FALL RACING BEGINS IN SEPTEMBERAh Labor Day. The first Monday in September when people who labor, which is all of us, of course, get to take the day off and celebrate their day of leisure. For runners Labor Day is the day that they forgo their leisure, at least for a little while as they lace up their racing shoes and head to the races, thankful that the summer doldrums are at an end and they can satisfy their compulsion to race, race, race. For those who want it all, Basking Ridge is the place to be on Monday morning. With a start time of 7:15 a.m. runners will likely be home from the race before the rest of the family has gotten out of bed. In recent years the 5K has become a New Balance Grand Prix event. According to the application, the course is heavily shaded but the description also warns of a challenging hill. Registration opens at 6:00 a.m. on Finley Avenue in front of St. James Church. |
For those who want a little more sleep time, well, it may be a toss up as the closest other Labor Day races are in Cranford or Verona, meaning a bit more time in the car.
The Fall Classic in Cranford starts at 9:30 a.m. It is an oldie that morphed from a 10K long ago into a five mile, and then more recently into a four mile race, following in the tracks of the Firecracker race on July 4th in Nomahegan Park.
The Verona Labor Day Classic is also an oldie, claiming 25 years, which means it may also have been a longer race in its earlier years. Like the Cranford race it starts at 9:30 a.m., and it shares another feature. It is directed by the Essex Running club, while the Fall Classic is a Central Jersey Road Runners club race.
Morris County seems to be almost bereft of races in September. Still missing in action is the Pfizer United Way 5K. It went missing two years ago due to construction at the corporate complex on Route 53 in Morris Plains, but has not resurfaced. It is missed by the running community.
A few races are around, like the Madison YMCA 5K on Sunday, the ninth of September and a 5K in Loantaka Park in Morristown on September 29th. Although still showing on most race calendars for September 15th, the Summer Screecher at Lewis Morris Park is in question and runners should double check before heading over to the park.
To find races, look at the USATF-NJ long distance running website and at Compuscore.com and BEST racing. One that many will not want to miss is the Liberty Waterfront Half Marathon in Jersey City on Sunday, September 23rd. It is the first of the fall USATF-NJ Championship races.
IMPORTANT LONG DISTANCE RUNNING COMMITTEE MEETING COMING UP
Runners who are racers who want to be involved with the organizational aspect of the sport should plan to attend the USATF-New Jersey committee meeting on Monday, September 10th. The Long Distance Running Committee determines many aspects of racing in New Jersey and most especially the grand prix that so many runners participate in.
Changes are made at the suggestion of the runners, after careful consideration of the consequences of changes. Runners have a voice in how races will be conducted and how the grand prix will is organized. The September meeting is in Bedminster at the Verizon Wireless building, starting at 7:30 p.m. Directions are on the USATF-NJ website.
Originally published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, September 2,, 2007
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2007
