Girls on the Run 5K set in Sparta

SPARTA — The 5th annual Girls on the Run 5k and the 40th annual Lake Mohawk 8-mile challenge are set for Saturday, May 14, at 8 a.m. Both races begin and end at the Lake Mohawk Plaza, in Sparta, and both are open to the public.
“The Girls on the Run 5k has become the kick off to what is known as ‘the best weekend in Sparta’,” Program Coordinator Melissa Fagersten said.
All of the Girls on the Run participants along with their running buddies will join runners from Sparta and the surrounding communities for the 3.1-mile distance. It welcomes both men and women, first time runners and elite runners.
"The 5k is always a celebratory event. The positive energy, sense of community and camaraderie found along the Lake Mohawk boardwalk throughout the event is remarkable," said Fagersten.
The Lake Mohawk Challenge is unique not only for the distance, but also for the not-so-rolling hills that test the runners along the route. The course begins in the Lake Mohawk Plaza and introduces its rigor within the first mile. Participants enjoy a big race feel, on a shorter, yet very demanding course.
It also attracts many walkers, as the scenery is breathtaking, winding around the entire lake, through Sparta and Byram. The last 39 years, this race has served walkers, casual runners and elite competitors. Once an organic run, with no formal timing system or race provisions, it is now the same race environment participants have come to expect at the larger races. The Lake Mohawk Challenge offers technical timing, T-shirts as well as awards in each age bracket.
GOTRNJN is grateful to its supporters including Sparta Municipal Alliance, Thor Labs, Riverview Paving, Newton Medical Center, Coldwell Banker, Wellness Pediatrics, Lake Mohawk Country Club, Advocare Vernon Pediatrics, Sparwick Contracting, CandH Agency, Smith-Sondy Asphalt, Jordano Electric, Duphiny Financial, Dykstra Associates, Laura Delea, The Grace Financial Group, Frank A. Macchione Construction, and Eastern Propane.
To register for the race, visit runsignup.com/LakeMohawk. For more information on the race or to volunteer, email info.gotrnjn.org.