Sheehan Classic set for Saturday in Red Bank

RED BANK - The George Sheehan Classic 5-Mile Run is set for 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

More than 3,000 runners from around the world are expected to participate in what has become one of the Jersey Shore's most popular road races. In addition, thousands more participate in the pre- and post-race events held both Friday and Saturday.

Race organizers moved the race in recent years from its traditional date in mid-August and the response from the runners was overwhelmingly in favor of the move.

"The George Sheehan Classic is an extremely popular race for both elite and local runners, but New Jersey's hot, humid August weather had been a problem," said race director Philip Hinck, "and hosting the event in June provides a chance for the entire family to enjoy the early summer weather."

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 top five finishers, male and female will take home cash prizes. This year, the prize for the top male and female finisher is $500. The top New Jersey male and female winners will earn $100. A total of $6,000 in prize money will be distributed to the top five overall finishers, top New Jersey finishers and age-category winners.

The list of previous winners reads like a Who's Who of road racing: Americans Bill Rodgers and Keith Brantley, Norway's Grete Waitz, Australian Lisa Ondeiki, Zimbabwe's Phillimon Hanneck, Kenya's Veronica Kanga and Russian Olga Markova.

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. Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, and The Savings Bank Life Insurance Co. sponsor the Sheehan Classic. Other sponsors include Horizon BlueCross BlueShield of New Jersey, Smith Barney, Wachovia Bank, Wachovia Securities, WOW! Work Out World, New Jersey Natural Gas Co. and Straub Motors Lincoln/Mercury.

The race is part of the SBLI Jersey Shore Golden Grand Prix, a series of races that offer prize money to overall winners and age group category winners The five 2006 events are: Spring Lake 5, George Sheehan Classic, Belmar 5, Asbury Park 5K and Pier Village 5K.

For Sheehan Classic information and registration, call (732) 988-7725 or check the Web site www.sheehanclassic.org.