Place to see: Spring Lake Five, Spring Lake, New Jersey, United States

About this place:

The Spring Lake Five in the oceanside town of Spring Lake, New Jersey, is one of the largest (if not the largest) five mile races in the Uniited States. It began in 1977 with a 500 runners. While technically not a "place," the population of runners today totals over 9,000, outnumbering the population by nearly three times the year-round population of Spring Lake. This once-a-year happening on the Jersey Shore that occurs every Memorial Day weekend (on Saturday) attracts runners from all over the world and helps to kick off the summer season on the Jersey Shore.

The beauty of the race is that it starts on Ocean Avenue in Spring Lake, travelling along the Atlantic Ocean for a little over a mile. Then the pack turns inland to traverse around Lake Como (bringing runners briefly into the borough of Lake Como) and then through some of the beautiful homes in town. The race then tours through the center of town on Third Avenue, around Divine Park in front of St. Catharine's Church to about mile four, and then onto the big finish, back to Ocean Avenue along the Atlantic Ocean.

Everyone is a winner and receives their medal at the finish line. Bagels, fruit, water, juice - you name it - waits at the finish line to be devoured by the participants. The race is really about participating and welcoming the new season. It is an experience that every runner (or fast walker) should experience. So forget the running of the bulls and join the running of the masses... If you missed it this year, just wait till the Spring Lake Five - 2009!!