3 Reasons Why Our Small Town Has A Big Heart - And A Big Race Too!

By Normajean Swiss

Little Silver -- I love this town!  Its name suggests something small and something special. There are so many things I love about our town: the people, our proximity to the city and the beach, our parks, our downtown and our schools. 

On Sunday, October 1, 2017, our town will host the Annual Little Silver 5K, one of the largest fundraisers for the Little Silver PTO.  It’s amazing to think this race was started by caring parents and townspeople twenty-four years ago and is still a favorite day for local families, weekend warriors, and serious runners from all over. More recently, the Little Silver 5K has become a USATF NJ Long Distance Running Open Women's Championship Race.
 
Little Silver still feels to many like the small town it was twenty years ago. Our kids still bike and walk to school, they play sports on the same town fields, and sled down the hill at Markham. Everyone gets psyched for town activities in the Fall like our 5K Run, and the fun after-party that never disappoints!
 
My experience with the Little Silver 5K started when I stood at the end of my street several years ago and cheered for passing runners, my toddlers clapping by my side. Years later we did a family sponsorship and then last year I joined the planning committee. 

Helping the PTO and supporting the Little Silver 5K is something I hold near and dear to my heart.  When I saw how passionate our PTO, Little Silver parents, Police, Fire, EMS and all volunteers were, and how they stepped up to make this sizable race happen, I knew Little Silver was a special place.

Here are 3 reasons why our small town has a big heart -- and a big race too!

 1. Community Pride
 
We love our community and are surrounded by so many great neighboring towns like Rumson, Fair Haven, Shrewsbury, Red Bank, and Oceanport that are involved not just in their own towns, but support our activities as well.
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Local businesses and families provide financial support by sponsoring the Little Silver 5K and provide food for our runners and after-party. Other local businesses provide entertainment and activities for our children for the after-party while the adults enjoy music from local bands.

People come from all over to challenge themselves for different reasons. I love reconnecting with neighbors and friends, and watching our kids grow into amazing young adults wearing their LS5K Family Sponsorship t-shirts with pride years after a race.

Regardless of where people are from, on "Race Day," we are all one community!
 
2. It’s "Run Well" By Our Own People
 
The race was started all those years ago by residents Kevin and Colleen Brennan, and their friend Wendy Jennings, for the sole purpose of helping our schools. As the race grew, so many individuals have contributed so much to the success of the LS5K.

In 2007, Dawn Wilcox, began organizing a town running clinic for kids which ultimately led to her becoming race director. Dawn and her small committee grew the LS5K from under 400 runners to almost 800. In 2015, Dawn and her co-race director Stacey Crow, helped get the race USATF Certified. 

Michelle Koster and Stacey Tietjen, took over as co-race directors in 2016 and are building upon the race's success and are ensuring that the race upholds the standards of a USATF NJ Long Distance Running Open Women's Championship Race.  As a member of their race committee, I'm in awe of how they and all of our volunteers manage so many moving parts. 

We can never say enough how grateful we are for the amazing planning, support and protection provided to our race by our local Little Silver Police Department, EMS and Fire Department.

3. The LS5K Makes A Positive, Direct Impact On Our Kids
 
Every dollar earned from the race is used directly to enhance the experience of students at Point Road Elementary and Markham Place Schools. Giving our children enriched cultural programs and experiences is something very close to the heart of all parents and members of our community.

A small town with a big heart can make big things happen!  Our once small 5K has grown into a very serious race that still appeals to runners of all skill levels.

The course is flat, fast and USATF Certified and the timing is done by Elite Racing Systems.  There are prizes for different age groups as well as a One Mile Fun-Run for kids and Kiddie Dashes for little ones.  

After 20 years, things come and go, but some things do not change. People still like to get outside and exercise, support their local schools and attend a fun family community event. Our small town loves our 5K, its runners from near and far, and all the sponsors and volunteers who make it all possible.  Our small town really does have a big heart and we're looking forward to another big race!​

To Register for the 2017 Little Silver 5K, CLICK HERE

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