Red Bank Classic 5K Draws A Big Field For Another Run - Plus Fun

RED BANK, NJ — The Red Bank Classic 5K charity event June 17 brought together 1,351 spirited runners, walkers and a wheelchair racer, all while supporting the Red Bank Family YMCA’s Third Grade Swim program.

And it was a great way for one couple to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary.

The oldest participants were Jeanne and Anthony Rausch, 83 and 82, marking their anniversary by walking the 3.1-mile course. At the other end of the age spectrum were 89 children in the kids’ fun run.

“It was a perfect day for the community to gather in the heart of Red Bank for a challenging walk and run to support the Y’s critical water safety education program for our Red Bank youth,” said Bob Zuckerman, executive director of the Red Bank RiverCenter, which organized and hosted this fourth annual event with support from a volunteer committee.

The total amount raised for the Family YMCA is still being calculated.

The event's presenting sponsors were Boondocks Fishery, The Robinson Ale House, and Triumph Brewing Company, along with support from 34 other local businesses, plus a crew of 40 volunteers, Zuckerman said.

Anthony Setaro, one of the event founders and a member of the planning committee, called this year’s Red Bank Classic the most successful. “Once again, we were blessed with beautiful weather and tremendous participation from the business community and our greater community of runners and walkers.”

Tim McLoone of Little Silver was emcee of the event and invited runners and walkers to join him in counting down the wheelchair start for lone racer Nishan Patel, 30, of Middletown. He took off at 8:25 a.m., a five-minute lead on the pack of 5K runners and walkers.

Here are some of the main race results:

• The first runner to cross the finish line was Michael Bond, 21, of Freehold, in just under 16 minutes at 15:59. He was followed by Brian Quilty, 33, of Pitman in 16:11, and in third place was Jason Gers, 49, of Monmouth Beach with a finish time of 17:44.
• Leading the women runners were: Anna Steinman, 33, of Springfield in 18:16 minutes; Emily Dunne, 29, of New York City in 19:07; and Michelle Navarro, 32, of Red Bank in 19:09.
• Twenty-six teams competed in the 5K with Alpha Fit Club taking first place, followed by Red Bank Eye in second, and Shore AC in third place.
• Patel finished the 5K in just over 30 minutes. “It was a very challenging course, and the turns were tough,” he said. He was assisted by Kali Garita, a member of Alpha Fit Club, to maneuver the curves.
• Complete live race results, provided by Split Second Racing, are available at: https://my.raceresult.com/247292/.

The Fitness Fest in the Broadwalk area after the race featured several local health and wellness businesses and organizations that provided massage, healthy activities and information to participants and spectators.

To view the full listing of event sponsors, visit www.RedBankClassic.com.

The Red Bank Classic 5K debuted June 2018, inspired by a group of business owners and community volunteers. The charity event has raised $50,000 to benefit youth programs for Red Bank children and teens.