Runners Head Home For a Race With Friends

They’ve been running for years, and on Friday, they’ll return to the place they did some of their finest work.

The annual East Brunswick High School Cross Country Team alumni run will be held at the stadium at the at 10 a.m. Athletic Director Frank Noppenberger says the 5K race and event is a great way for good friends to revisit the school, catch up with one another, and meet some of the school’s next generation of runners.

“It’s more of a social thing with friends and to continue to support the sport,” said Noppenberger. “We like it when the younger runners come and meet the alumni. They get to know what these people are really like. These are the people that set those records. It’s a motivational thing.”

The informal, fun, race will cost $10 and takes place along the same cross country course that former and current racers use. All participants get a commemorative T-shirt and a great chance to catch up with old friends, new runners and a familiar course. Noppenberger said the event was started after organizers saw how close the group of runners had become over the years.

“What we saw was the great camaraderie among the cross country runners, and we thought it would be a good way to get everyone together,” said Noppenberger. “It’s right after Thanksgiving, so everyone’s back from college."

The event will be held rain or shine. In addition, hot chocolate will be served. The drink, said Noppenberger, may be one way to get him to take part in the run.