By The TimesLedger
Close to 2,000 runner are expected to enter into the sixth annual Eamonn Coghlan 5K, set for the Belmont Park Race Course in Elmont on Saturday, Aug. 25.
The 3.1 mile road race, that stays on the grounds of Belmont Park, is open to runners and joggers and walkers of all ages. The gun goes off at 5 p.m. sharp.
The race is being conducted as a highlight of New York’s Irish Festival, which is held on Aug. 24, 25 and 26. The Festival contains music, entertainment, amusements, pony rides, dancing and much more.
There race track is closed to horse racing that weekend.
The race is named after world-renowned track star Eamonn Coghlan. Now 49, Coghlan indicated that he will compete in his own race, just for the fun of it. Last year he was timed in 17:35 and took third place in the 40 to 49 age group.
“For an old man, my time wasn’t too bad,” Coghlan said after last summer’s race. “I’m no longer trying to break records.”
Last year Paul Mwangi won the race going away in 14:27. Over the years other winners include Jason Brown, who captured the inaugural running, with a clocking of 14:32 in 1996, Alem Kahsey (14:59) in 1997, Trevor Murray (14:34) in 1998 and Tesfaye Bekele (14:43) in 1999. Mwangi and Murray indicated that they expect to compete again.
The Classic, which is becoming more and more popular, is expected to attract the cream of his crop from the metropolitan area and is being conducted with the cooperation of the New York Racing Association and the College Point Road Runners Track Club.
Start to Finish will time and score the race for the first time.
The total prize money is $6,000 with the first five place finishers — male and female — receiving cash prizes. Free bus ride service is provided and departs from New York Road Runners Club at 9 East 89th Street in Manhattan. Buses will return to the club after the race.
Belmont Park is also easily accessible by public transportation.
For further information call (212) 685-4649, (212) 686-1210 or (718) 762-1519.
