Countdown to the Belmar 5 Mile Run

June 29, 2009 by admin
Filed under Archived Notices

The clock is ticking down to the start of the 33nd annual Belmar Five Johnny Cobb Memorial Run on Saturday morning, July 11, at 8:30 a.m. More than 3,000 runners are expected to participate in this year’s race, which is sponsored by the Goodwill Hose Fire Company.

The Belmar 5-miler is the third leg of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, which also includes the Spring Lake Five, the George Sheehan Classic and the Asbury Park & Pier Village 5K.

The Belmar race course is fast and flat. It begins on Ocean Avenue between Second and Third avenues, and includes an out-and-back leg on Ocean Avenue, then the course winds around picturesque Silver Lake and Lake Como, before ending up at Fifth Avenue between A Street and Ocean Avenue.

“Most of the runners are from the surrounding counties,” Hinck said. “We’re very proud of the fact that this is such a large, local race. We try to make it family-friendly, and I think that’s helped our numbers.”

The course records have stood for decades: 23:26 for the men’s race, set by Brent Barnhill in 1987, and 26:39 for the women’s race, set by Elaine van Blunk in 1990.

The Belmar 5 program starts even before the morning of July 11. On Friday evening, July 10, a series of kids’ races for ages from 1 to 14, will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. A two-mile fitness walk (two laps around Silver Lake) will follow at 7 p.m. The evening is capped off with an outdoor movie and fireworks display.

The Belmar 5 is named for the late Johnny Cobb, a longtime supporter of the race, and a 25-year veteran of the Belmar Police Department and member of the Goodwill Hose Fire Company.

Registrations are still being accepted. Prices for Belmar 5 road race entries postmarked by July 1 are $20. The price increases to $25 after July 1 and during race week, and will be $30 on race day. For more information, click here, or to register online go to www.Belmar5.com.

For entry fees and information on signing up for the Fitness Walk and Kid’s races, click here.