Area runners gathered on Monday morning at the Sheraton Hotel on Route 35 for the 18th annual Eatontown 5k Labor Day Race.  

The race has been held yearly since 1995 when the initial event was held as part of the 325th anniversary of the founding of Eatontown. 

The day started with a 5k fitness walk at 8:45 a.m. and a 1-mile run at 9 a.m.   The 5k started at 9:15 a.m.when the runners departed the Sheraton parking lot on a course that went east on Industrial Way, South on Wall Street and than into a residential neighborhood by the SPCA. After a loop around neighborhood streets runners than began their journey back to the Sheraton.

Crossing the finish line in first place was Alejandro Ariza of Brooklyn, NY with a very impressive time of 16:54. He was followed by 2^nd place finisher and Eatontown resident Craig Uplinger. Bernice Santiago also of Brooklyn, NY was the winner of the womens division followed by Cara Sharpe of Holmdel.  In third place was Eatontown resident Jackie Kollinger.       

A complete list of all participants including individual category results can be found at this link:  http://www.eliteracingsystems.com/2012_road_race_results/2012_eatontown_labor_day_5k.html

Among those running in the 5k race, was area resident Elliot Denman who competed at the Melbourne Olympic Games of 1956 in the 50k race walk. Mr. Denman placed 11th in that race and was the second American finisher.

The runners where treated to a continental breakfast after the race. Awards were presented to the runners by Eatontown Recreation Director Janice Grasso and Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo. The Mayors trophy was given to the first place male and female residents of Eatontown (Craig Uplinger and Jackie Kollinger.) Grasso noted that she wished to thank Sheraton General Manager Tom Riccardi and his staff for hosting the event.