Under normal circumstances, or anything masquerading as a reasonable facsimile thereof, we would be two days away from the Spring Lake Five Mile Run, which has served as the unofficial start to Summer at the Shore for more than forty years. COVID-19 rendered the proposed May 23 date a nullity. However, last month, the good folks who organize the Spring Lake Five announced that instead of canceling the 2020 edition, it would be moved from summer's first weekend to its last. Its new date was to be Saturday, September 5, 2020.
Alas, it was not to be.
On Tuesday afternoon, my inbox sagged a bit upon its receipt of the latest e-mail from the race organizers entitled, "Important Announcement - Spring Lake 5 Mile & Kids Race Cancellation for 2020". Not too subtle, huh?
The Spring Lake Five Mile Run - Sep. 5, 2020
Update May 19, 2020 Note: We do NOT have any of the 2020 race items (shirt, glasses or calendars) for distribution.
Dear Registered Runner,
After careful consideration, the Spring Lake 5 Committee has decided that the 2020 Spring Lake 5 Mile Run will not be held on the rescheduled date of Saturday, September 5, 2020, and cancelled for this year.
We understand the disappointment many might feel about the cancellation of the 2020 Run. However, due to the uncertainty of the current global health crisis, we have determined that a large gathering of people that results from our Race would be unsafe for the runners, our volunteers, and the many spectators that line our course.
All registered entrants will be automatically entered into the 2021 Race which will be held on Saturday, May 29, 2021, without having to register next year. All waivers signed by registered entrants for the 2020 Race will be extended and apply to the 2021 Race. No further action is required.
Any runner who wishes not to participate in next year’s race or rescind such waiver must opt out through RunSignUp no later than July 1, 2020 in which they will be eligible for a full refund, less any processing fees. Refunds will not be processed until after July 1st. click here to request a refund: https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/SpringLake/TheSpringLake5Miler
After July 1, 2020 any runner can transfer their number up to the date of the 2021 Race under our transfer policy. No refunds after July 1, 2020.
Kids Race - no action required: Refunds will be automatically applied by RunSignUp for anyone who has paid for entries to the 2020 Spring Lake 5 Kids Race, less any processing fees. Refunds will be processed after July 1st.
Please visit our website at www.springlake5.org to obtain further information on the above. Note: We do NOT have any of the 2020 race items (shirt, glasses or calendars) for distribution.
We look forward to seeing you next year, and hope that you and your families stay safe and healthy during this difficult time.
Ed Hale, SL5 Race Director
Rich Sciria, Chairman, SL5 Trustees
This event, which I love, is a massive undertaking and a labor of love put together by the men and women who organize it and who serve as its trustees. For them, Spring Lake 5 Day is the culmination of months of hard work, managing a gazillion moving parts, and putting on a road race in which more than 12,000 people participate.
For me, Spring Lake 5 Day is a pretty easy ride. About an hour before gun time, I take a leisurely walk from my house in Lake Como south on the Boardwalk towards the starting line, which is about two miles away. While I walk, to my left I see the ocean. To my right, I see the race volunteers hard at work manning various posts along Ocean Avenue, and I listen to the kids from School of Rock warm up in their position at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and South Boulevard, from where they will perform as runners pass them heading north, and around Lake Como, in the first mile.
I completely understand why the event's organizers cancelled this year's race. I appreciate their concern for all of participants, officials, volunteers, and spectators and I applaud them for doing all they could to keep the dream of a 2020 Spring Lake 5 alive for as long as could.
I am saddened by the cancellation of this year's race. Knees willing, I shall participate in the 2021 edition and shall experience once more the sights and sounds of Spring Lake 5 Day that I have grown to love so much. In the event I have ever taken any of them for granted, I shall do so no longer.
Stay well. Stay safe.
-AK
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