The Born To Run 5 Mile Race starts at the corner of Court Street and Lafayette Street in downtown Freehold on Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving. The Freehold Area Running Club lists this year's edition as its 40th annual running, and the proceeds go to Open Door, the food pantry that serves families in the Freehold area.

The morning has two events. A one-mile kids race for ages 7 to 14 goes off at 10 a.m. The 5-mile race, open to runners ages 10 and up, follows at 11 a.m. Both begin and end in the center of town.

The course

The 5-mile route leaves the downtown business district, heads out through residential streets and loops around Lake Topanemus before turning back toward the finish in town. The club posts a printable course map on its race page for anyone who wants to study the turns or plan a spot to cheer.

Racewalkers have their own award category, so the event is not only for runners chasing a time. Every finisher receives a race shirt and a finisher's medal.

Registration and cost

Online sign-up runs through RunSignup. As of this weekend, the 5-mile race is listed at $45, and that price goes up after 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18. Current members of the Freehold Area Running Club pay $30 if they register by the same November 18 deadline. The kids one-mile race costs $10, and online registration for it closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 20.

The club also accepts paper entries, with the fee rising in steps based on the postmark date. The paper entry form is linked from the club's race page.

The kids mile is a separate event with its own start at 10 a.m., which gives families time to watch their children finish before the 5-mile field lines up an hour later. Runners in the 5-mile race must be at least 10 years old.

Packet pickup

Bibs and shirts can be collected ahead of race day at House of Sport inside Freehold Raceway Mall on Tuesday, November 24, from 3 to 7 p.m., and on Wednesday, November 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. On race morning, pickup moves to the Freehold Fire Department at 49 West Main Street, starting at 9 a.m.

Bringing a donation for Open Door

The race has long carried the theme of fighting hunger in your hometown, and the club pairs the entry fees with a food drive. Donation drop-off points are set up at the finish line and at the firehouse on West Main Street. The race page links to Open Door's list of most-needed items, which is a good place to check before shopping, since pantries often run short on specific staples heading into the winter holidays.

Last year the club presented its race donation to Open Door in person, with the club's treasurer and president joining the pantry's executive director.

Awards and getting there

Awards go to the top three men and top three women overall, plus the top three men and women in each age group, from 14 and under through 90 and over. Racewalkers are recognized as a separate group.

Downtown Freehold, the seat of Monmouth County, sits where Main Street meets Court Street, a short drive from Routes 9 and 33. The race page notes metered parking downtown at $1 per hour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and $2 per hour from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. Plan to arrive early on race morning, since streets near the start will be busy with runners, families and volunteers.

For the full schedule, course map and paper entry form, visit the Freehold Area Running Club's Born To Run page. Online registration is on RunSignup until November 20, and the race steps off at 11 a.m. on November 27 at Court and Lafayette.

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