20th ANNIVERSARY SHEEHAN CLASSIC RACE WEEKEND TO INCLUDE 5K, KIDS RACES, EXPO VILLAGE & RUNNERS PARTY

The 20th anniversary 2013 George Sheehan Classic with its popular 5K (3.1 mile) distance as its main event, is set for 8:30 am Saturday, June 16.  More than 2,500 runners are expected to participate in what is known as one of the Jersey Shore’s most renowned road races. Pre-registration is still available, and 5K is filling up quickly; the race is limited to 3,000 entrants.

The race committee has had a great deal of community feedback over the years that running five miles was just a little too long for the everyday runner, and that sometimes the heat in June can be a factor.  In response, as announced in March, it was decided last year that the 5K distance is the right match for the entire family to participate, either by racing or walking the scenic course.

2013 will be the 20th running of the event in Red Bank: The George Sheehan Classic began in 1981 as the Asbury Park 10K Classic and quickly became one of the major road running events on the national calendar.  The race moved to Red Bank in 1994 and was renamed to honor the memory of Dr. George Sheehan, the prominent author, philosopher and area physician.  “The Doc” has been called the “father of the running boom” in the United States. The Sheehan family is planning a release of a new book of his life's work next year to commemorate the 20th year of his passing.

As part of the Sheehan Classic, the Friday evening Kids' Classic is a series of children's races of various distances, from toddler to age 13. Kids will be treated to face painting, characters and treats from area establishments like Smoothie King and Sugarush. Free entertainment accompanies the kids' races at the Runner's Expo Village, on the banks of the Navesink. On Saturday morning, event finishers enjoy a famous picnic breakfast in the park, followed by a popular post-race block party with music.

Over $2,500 in prize money will be distributed in the 5 kilometer run to Top Five overall finishers, top New Jersey finishers and age-category winners. The George Sheehan Classic was named one of the Top 100 Road Races by Runner’s World magazine, and the Best Memorial Race in New Jersey by the New York Times.  CBRichardEllis, Wells Fargo, Meridian Health System, Riverview Medical Center and Morgan Stanley sponsor the Sheehan Classic.  Other sponsors include:, Red Bank Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, Merrill Lynch,  McLoone’s, BGC Partners,  Brannigan's Bar & Grill, Johanna Farms, Whole Foods, Mountain Hill School and Front Street Trattoria. Howley Financial Group and Jersey Shore Running Club sponsor the Kids' Classic.

The George Sheehan Classic is pleased to have developed relationships with a number of area non-profit groups, including Lunch Break, and the Parker Family Health Clinic, a walk-in health care facility in Red Bank for individuals with no health insurance. Additional groups receiving contributions from the event are local high school track teams, various town EMS services and other organizations.

The race is part of the Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, sponsored by McLoone's, a series of races that offers prize money to overall and age category winners. The five events are: Spring Lake 5, George Sheehan Classic, Belmar 5, Asbury Park 5K & Pier House 5K.  For the tenth anniversary of the series, those who participate in all five 2013 races will get a $50 McLoone’s restaurant gift card, plus entry into a drawing for a Grand Prize ($1000 value). Visit www.jsgrandprix.com for information.

For Sheehan Classic information and registration, call the event hotline 732.571-2162 or check the website, www.sheehanclassic.org.