Main Street Highland Park’s 9th Annual Run in the Park 5K was the ultimate feel good community event on Sunday, May 7. The weather was perfect, and the exercise was great for the mind and body – and soul, since the race proceeds benefitted the Borough of Highland Park Police, Fire, First Aid, Library, Recreation Department, and Main Street HP.
“The participation of more than 500 registrants was robust – tying, maybe even exceeding the 2015 level of participation which until this year was our all time high (the 2016 race featured rainy cool weather putting a damper on the event),” said Rebecca Hersh, executive director of Main Street Highland Park. A USATF certified event that was a 500-point Grand Prix race, the 5k attracted runners, as well as joggers, walkers, and those pushing strollers and wheelchairs. The course, closed to traffic during the race, started on North 5th Avenue by the high school and then headed downhill towards New Brunswick for a fast first mile. The race then wound it’s way through the historic streets of Highland Park, before finishing on the high school track. Kids races took place on the track after the completion of the 5k.
A hearty congratulations to all the participants, but special shout-outs go to the first five overall winners: Elliott Mason, Ethan Bull, Peter Tilton, Erik Lopez, and Jonah Silverman – with times less than 17.33 minutes. The youngest person in the race with the best time was eight-year-old Rubin Hersh who was the 57th person to cross the finish line by completing the course in a little more than 23 minutes.
The street fair that followed the race at 11 a.m. continued the high spirits and community camaraderie of the 5k race and attracted an estimated 10,000 people to Highland Park’s downtown.
For complete race results, please see the following links:
Here are the overall results:
http://www.racingnj.com/files/2017_run_in_the_park_overall_finish.htm
And the age group results:
http://www.racingnj.com/files/2017_run_in_the_park_5k_age_group_finish.htm