The curtain will close on the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix series on Labor Day (Sept. 5).
The summer-long road racing series concludes with the 13th Annual Pier House 5K that is run along the revitalized Long Branch beachfront. Starting time is 8:30 a.m.
The race showcases the recovery made by the community since superstorm Sandy.
“The Pier House believes deeply in strong community relationships, and this is just one indication of that,” co-race founder Tim McLoone said in a prepared statement.
McLoone’s restaurant was one of the first projects opened in Pier Village. He and Phil Hinck are the co-founders of the Pier House race.
In the past 12 years, race proceeds of over $24,500 have been donated to several area charities, including Habitat for Humanity, CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Valerie Fund, Long Branch Recreation and the Long Branch Fire Company. The 2016 event will benefit Long Branch PBA Local 10 Scholarships and Holiday Express, whose mission is to deliver music, food, gifts, financial support and friendship to those with the greatest need for the gift of human kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Last year’s Pier House 5K winners were former Brick Memorial High School great Andrew Brodeur, 25, now of Bethesda, Maryland, in a time of 14:40, while Cara Notarianni, 23, of Dunmore, Pennsylvania, took the women’s race in 18:04. For Brodeur, it was his second straight win in the race.
Runners have been competing all summer in the Golden Grand Prix series, accumulating points to determine the overall and age group male and female winners. The series is sponsored by McLoone’s and offers prize money to the top finishers.
The Pier House 5K is the fourth and final stop of the series. The first three races were the Spring Lake Five-Mile Run, the Belmar Five-Mile Run and the George Sheehan Classic Asbury Park 5K.
Current Grand Prix leaders after three races are last year’s Grand Prix Champion Brian Quilty of Blackwood for the men with 292 points, with Marty McCormick (Arlington, Virginia) at 260 points and Andrew Dombrowiecki of Ocean with 258 points. The women’s race has point leader Amanda Marino, a former Jackson Memorial standout now from Bradley Beach, with 293 points. She is followed closely by Marisa Cumming of New York City with 292 points and Beth Marzigliano of Lake Como at 277 points.
The Pier House 5K will determine this year’s winners.
Leading in their respective age groups for the men are Marty McCormick, 36, Arlington; Ken Kropac, 42, Lake Como; Brian Hill, 49, Middletown; John Kelly, 50, Wall; Thomas Zarra, 59, Point Pleasant; Richard Siderko, 60, Brielle; Michael McHale, 65, Belmar; John Rath, 71, Lincroft; Joe Delgardio, 77, Jackson; and Olie Nelson, 80, Farmingdale.
Womens’ age group leaders are Amy Nalven, 37, Brick; Dawn Wilcox, 42, Little silver; Christine Hill, 46, Middletown; Angela Lynch, 51, Cranford; Kim Hart, 56, Belmar; Dawn Ciccone, 60, Highlands; Maureen Barry, 65, Neptune; Barbara Colrick, 71, Short Hills; and Marilyn Ryder, 75, Eatontown.
Registration information for the Pier House 5K can be found at http://pierhouse5k.jsrc.org or info@jsgrandprix.com.
