Beyond the FINISH LINE

IT ALL STARTED IN 1991 when a small group of Sea Girt residents, led by Marcy Grough, formed an informal run through town to benefit the Recreation Department. Although not an official 5K race, it was an enjoyable way for Sea Girt residents to bond and have a good time. Marcy stayed on as a volunteer as others stepped in to direct and help. Among those who joined the effort were Mike Crowley, Dolores Randazzo, Jerry Joyce, Lynette McMoran and Bonnie Fitzpatrick. This informal run continued until the mid-1990’s. It was then that Jean Kurtz, along with other leaders in the community, took over the task of organizing the race. Even today, some of those original volunteers still show up on race day to lend a hand.

The race went on pause for a few years in the late 1990s. Then in 2001, Sea Girt resident and avid runner Mary Lyons stepped up to revive it as an official 5K. With the support of Sargeant Potts from the Sea Girt Police Department, she secured permission to organize a proper road race through town. With help from other town parents, they created a sanctioned course, obtained official timers and set out to find sponsors. That first revived race saw mostly kids at the starting line, with just a handful of adult runners joining in.

“It was such fun and the kids got ice cream after the race. As the race grew, T-shirts were made on a shoestring budget and eventually local sponsors came on board. Not only did sponsors donate dollars, they also actively volunteered on race day. It was grassroots, and everybody had fun,” Mary recalls.

A COMMUNITY EFFORT

The Sea Girt 5K epitomizes what can be accomplished when a small town works together. “It’s a great community effort of our volunteers. Runners tell me our race is different from other local races, and maybe it’s because of this effort,” remarks Race Director Mike D’Altrui. The Sea Girt Police, Fire Department and Public Works—along with Manasquan First Aid—work together to support the event and ensure the safety of all race participants.

The generosity of sponsors always plays a major part in the success of the event, but the race could not run without the winning team of dedicated hands-on volunteers who work with great enthusiasm to see that every detail is covered. From handling registration and organizing T-shirts, to setting up food tables, staffing water stations, cheering on participants and handing out medals—every detail is covered with care. Mike D’Altrui also gives credit to his wife Janine, their children and the dedicated Race Committee for helping bring the event to life. The committee includes Mike Matthews, Marianne Schobel, Jill Weber, Jen and Bryan Perry and Matt Begley.

THIS YEAR’S EVENT

The Sea Girt 5K will take place on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 8:30 a.m., starting at 810 The Plaza. It will be the 34th race, and Mike D’Altrui’s 20th as Race Director. When Mike and his family had settled into their new home in Sea Girt, he noticed an ad in the local newspaper for a Race Director for the Sea Girt 5K. Being new in town, he decided to volunteer for the job, as it would be a way of becoming part of his new community. Soon after applying for the position, retiring race director Mary Lyons called to congratulate him on becoming the newly appointed Sea Girt 5K Race Director.

Becoming the Race Director would also be a way for him to be involved in something he enjoyed. Mike had run cross country in high school and later went on to complete several marathons. While in graduate school at the University of Georgia, he organized the campus Bull Dog 5K to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Over the years, the number of runners and walkers has steadily grown. This year, 3,250 entries are expected. One of the categories is the Senior Group, which used to be 65 and up. However, in 2024 the oldest runner, Olie Nelson, 88, crossed the finish line in 51 minutes, and Chick Alber, 82, ran in at 37.48 minutes. As a result, race age group categories are now 80 and up. Who knows what stiff competition this year’s senior runners will face?

Let’s not forget the music! Along the route, four bands get runners stepping up their pace, with The Billy Lawlor band at the start and finish line. Resident Mary Dougherty welcomes one of the bands to park in her driveway, asking that they play the theme from “Rocky” to keep the crowd energized. Trumpet player Dave DeMonico is always a familiar site as he sets himself up at the 1-mile water stop where he blows his horn with his right hand and snaps terrific photos of the runners with his iPhone 15, held in his left hand. There is an electric guitar player who strums away to the beat of the runners. The solitary bagpiper, clad in his kilt, stands on the boardwalk year after year, serenading the passing runners.

WHAT TO EXPECT

“The weather is always that one unpredictable factor we can always count on. We hope it will favor us,” Mike remarked. One year, the weather forecast called for rain on race day, so a couple of the organizers bought kids beach buckets and distributed them to runners at the registration tables. When the race kicked off a steady rain began to fall. Runners put the sand buckets on their heads to keep dry. “It was quite a funny sight!” laughs Mary Lyons.

The 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. and usually winds down around 9:30 a.m. By then, the ambulance has followed the last walkers toward the finish line. Typically, the kids get their turn to race at 10 a.m. They run shorter sprints that range from 25 yards for the 2 to 3-year-olds, up to 400 yards for the 10 to 12-year-olds. After their race, it’s time for fun and games, and a carnival atmosphere begins. An inflatable obstacle course, pony rides, a bounce house, face painting and an ice cream truck make for a grand time on the Boston Green.

When the running and walking is finished, it’s time to enjoy donated fruit, muffins, water, bagels and sports drinks. It’s at this time when custom medals are awarded to runners in various categories. Then the celebration continues at Fratello’s Restaurant, the official race after-party spot, where jubilant finishers gather as “BJ the DJ” kicks off singalongs and the crowd enjoys the festive atmosphere.

RACING FOR A CAUSE

In addition to being an annual town event, the Sea Girt 5K has a deeper purpose. Each year, a portion of the proceeds support Sea Girt Recreation, while an additional share is donated to a selected local charity. This year’s Sea Girt 5K is centered around the theme of kindness, with proceeds benefiting the Kindness Café—located inside the Manasquan Bank at 305 Route 71 in Spring Lake. The organization provides meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with special needs. The Kindness Cafe is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Be sure to stop by for coffee and some of their delicious baked goods.

Past charitable beneficiaries have included Fulfill Foodbank, the Samaritan Center, the Ashley Lauren Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs, Rallycap Sports Foundation and others. In 2019, the Sea Girt 5K, under the umbrella of Sea Girt Recreation, helped create the LIFT Fund for Veterans at Monmouth Habitat for Humanity. An annual Patriot Polar Plunge is held every February at Beacon Boulevard Beach in Sea Girt to continue aiding this worthy cause.

Over the past twenty years, over $800,000 has been raised by this hometown 5K for Sea Girt Recreation and local charitable organizations. Most recently the Sea Girt 5K established the Maryann Apostolou Memorial Scholarship, honoring the legacy of the beloved kindergarten teacher from Sea Girt Elementary School. The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior from Sea Girt who exemplifies kindness to others, as embodied by Ms. Apostolou.

The mission and goal of the Sea Girt 5K remain the same: to organize a hometown event with community involvement, to make a difference in the Sea Girt community and to have fun while doing it. As Mary Lyons states, “The Sea Girt 5K is more than a local town event, it is something that comes from the heart.”

BY JUDITH JONES-AMBROSINI