Sports
Sea Girt 5k Supports Troops, Brings Community Together
2,500 runners took over Sea Girt on Sunday
On Sunday, Sea Girt held its 20th-annual Sea Girt 5k. The event served its purpose in raising money to support troops. It also served as an opportunity to bring the community together.
Before runners sped off, a salute to the troops was made with Honorary Marshal US Army Brigadier General James Grant and the National Anthem was sang by the cast of Algonquin Art’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
At about 8:30 a.m., close to 2,500 runners were off - an overwhelming group of armed forces, veterans and their supporters.
“This race has grown from 800 to 2,500 over the past six years that I’ve taken this over,” said event director Mike D’Altrui. “Every year we try to pick a cause to fundraise for. This year the main beneficiary is Sea Girt Recreation and we chose the Walter Reed Society for ongoing care of wounded war veterans.”
In addition to the race itself, there was plenty of entertainment for kids including a 30-foot rock climbing wall, moon walks, pony rides, and more. Special kids races kicked off after the adult races.
“A reason we have done this here is because of the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt. It’s always been a very community event with a lot of community involvement,” added D’Altrui.
Jennifer Mayes, a dental assistant from Manasquan was enjoying the kids activities with her daughter while waiting for the kids races to start.
“I ran the race last year and brought her here. She was really excited about the race last year and wanted to do the kids race this year,” said Mayes of her 5-year-old daughter Olivia. “There are a lot of great activities -- it’s worth it just for the kids activities.”
D.J. Thorton of Rahway won the overall race with a time of 15:22. The 19-year-old who has run this race for the past three years, enjoyed the work out and cause for the race.
“It’s awesome having this run for service men and women. I have a rich history of service men and women in my family,” said Thorton.
In first place for the women was Cliffwood Beach resident Bronawyn O’Leary.
“I liked the race. It was a good course with a lot of twists and turns which breaks it up,” said O’Leary, an assistant principal in Livingston.
This race was part of O’Leary’s training -- she runs with the Stingers Racing Team.
“It’s a great feeling. A different kind of accomplishment. There are a lot of people and it’s a great cause -- saluting our troops who keep us safe everyday,” added O’Leary.
In second place overall was 17-year-old Morgan Pearson of Spring Lake, followed by 17-year-old Peter Byrne of Larchmont, New York.
“I have a summer house in Sea Girt and I try to do this race every year. It was humid out there but a fun race,” said Byrne. “There were bag pipers on the boardwalk cheering us on. There is great crowd support.”
