The Jersey Shore Running Club expects nearly 500 female runners and walkers to appear at an annual event in Holmdel that will raise funds for and spread awareness of service organizations for women.
On Sept. 2 in Holmdel Park, 44 Longstreet Road, the Jersey Shore Running Club will present the 24th annual Saturday in the Park 5K Women Taking Steps to Help Women. A women’s 5K run and scenic 3 mile walk will begin at 9 a.m. and children’s races will begin at 10 a.m.
According to the Jersey Shore Running Club, registration will begin at 8 a.m. Participation is $25 before Aug. 28, $30 after Aug. 28 and $5 for the children’s races. Any participants who raise $75 or more in pledges will receive free entry. Free entry is also offered to any previous-year champions.
In appreciation of the support the event has received from female high school and youth athletic teams, all members of such teams will receive an entrance fee of $20 before Aug. 28. Additionally, awards will be given to the three teams that have the largest number of participants.
The primary beneficiary for the 24th year of the event is Providence House of Catholic Charities in Ocean County, according to Race Director Penny Hinck. Organizations in Monmouth County will also receive proceeds.
Saturday in the Park originally took place at Bodman Park, Middletown, then moved to Monmouth University, West Long Branch, and Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, before coming to Holmdel Park in 1999, where it has remained since. The event has raised over $220,000, according to the Jersey Shore Running Club.
Previous sponsors of the event, according to the club, have included Monmouth Medical Center Foundation, Friends of the Spring Lake Five, Charity House Foundation, JAG Physical Therapy, New Jersey Natural Gas Company, Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association, state Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-Monmouth, Ocean), Two River Community Bank, Food Circus, Kenney Gross Kovats & Parton, MacGowan Agency, Shore Athletic Club and Windmill Restaurants.
Prizes will be offered at the event, including a grand prize drawing of a women’s bicycle, according to the club. There will also be awards, such as the Mary Conry Memorial Award for the first Jersey Shore Running Club member to finish.
“We are excited to be presenting our 24th running of this event,” Hinck said. “It’s a great way to end the summer on Labor Day weekend and this is the longest running women’s run and walk in the state. We expect to raise about the same money as last year for our charities in Monmouth and Ocean County.”
Hinck may be contacted for more information at 732-571-2162 or penny@saturdayinthepark5k.org. Any individuals interested in the event may also visit www.saturdayinthepark5k.org.
