RACES THIS MONTH NEW JERSEY MARATHON HEADS UP This is that time of the year when either your friends or you, are adding up the miles and long runs and evaluating the nagging aches and pains and wondering if your immune system as well as your muscles and tendons can hold up before marathon day. You worry about the weather on race day. Will it be cold and windy, maybe rainy or will it be too hot? Last weekend was a killer if that was your race - the Chicago Marathon, or the Army 10 miler. It was one of those days when you can't win; don't start and cast all that money away, or start and risk a breakdown that will prevent you from getting a good one later in the season. You were damned if you started and damned if you didn't. There are other marathons around but will you have recovered enough and can you hold your peak until the alternative marathon? |
TAKE THE BUS TO THE MARATHON
If you are going to New York City Marathon on November 4th and looking for a ride, you can hitch one, for a price, with the Essex Running Club NYC Marathon bus. A bus will leave Montclair at 6:30 a.m., with runners, and again at 10:00 a.m. with spectators. If not having to deal with details of transportation on race day appeals to you, then make reservations now. The bus could sell out. Call Larry Hollander at Grove Pharmacy at 973-744-5550.
NEW JERSEY MARATHON NEXT MAY WILL CLOSE OUT
Don't count on getting into the New Jersey Marathon or Half Marathon next May in Long Branch unless you register early. Race Director Art Castellano has issued a warning to his New Jersey Road Runners Club members in the clubs latest newsletter that registrations are running well ahead of this time last year. The Half Marathon will close at 5,000 runners and the marathon at 2,500.
NO MARATHONS IN MORRIS
No marathons in sight for this area but plenty of races in northern New Jersey and some of them here in Morris County. Pequannock is hosting a 5K on Saturday October 20th, to aid two middle school students that have recently been diagnosed with Leukemia. The race is not part of the USATF grand prix but is one that will warm your heart to participate.
On Sunday, October 21st Liberty Corners is the location of the annual 4 mile race that raises money for the other end of the age spectrum, the local adult day care center. Four miles is not a distance that is competed very often and for that it has appeal, but for many people the chance to be in the raffle pool for two tickets with Continental Airlines to any U.S destination may be an even bigger draw.
The next weekend, on Saturday, October 27th is the Dover Renaissance 5K. If running up the completely closed main drag in Dover with only one climb then the Renaissance is for you. It features a lollipop course and runners will run down the same hill on the way back to the finish.
On the other side of the county is the Safe Dating Challenge 5K in Convent Station the next day. Safe Dating is held at the College of St. Elizabeth and features a course that utilizes the campus roads and the Traction Line bike path. A big plus for folks who like to sleep in on Sundays is the noon start.
Although not in Morris, the Corporal Christopher M. Shea Memorial 5K deserves a mention. Corporal Shea, a State Trooper, was killed in the line of duty in Delaware. The race, held on the 28th at Swartswood State Park, raises funds for a scholarship in his name for a student at his alma mater Kittatinny Regional High School.
RUN LIKE A HORSE
If you've never galloped on a horse racing track sans a horse, then you may want to drive down the Monmouth Park Race Track for the Breeder's Cup Fanfest 5K. As everyone in New Jersey must know by now the New Jersey track is playing host to the Breeders Cup this year on Friday October 27th and Saturday October 28th. The human race will take place the Saturday prior on October 20th at 11:00 a.m. Most of the course is on roads but the finish is on the race track.
Originally published by the DAILY RECORD of Morris County, New Jersey on Sunday, October 14, 2007
Copyright, Madeline Bost, 2007
