Girls on the Run 5K planned for May 16

SPARTA — The 39th annual Lake Mohawk Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, and the fourth annual Girls on the Run 5K will begin at 8 a.m.

This Lake Mohawk Challenge is unique not only for the distance, but also for the not-so-rolling hills, along the route. The course begins in the Lake Mohawk Plaza and introduces its rigor within the first mile. It offers a big-race feel, at a shorter, yet challenging course. The scenery also attracts many walkers as the course winds around the entire lake, through Sparta and Byram.

The last 38 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. This year, technical shirts will be offered to all Lake Mohawk Challenge registrants as well as individual and team medals.

Girls on the Run New Jersey North, together with the Sparta Recreation Department, have grown this race to also include a 5k.

All of the Girls on the Run participants, along with their buddies, join many community runners for the 3.1 mile distance. The 5K is always a celebratory event for both first time runners and elite runners as well. Both races begin and end in the Lake Mohawk Plaza in Sparta.

Lake Mohawk Country club grill will be open for breakfast sandwiches, so be sure to stop by. Also new this year, will be the Girls on the Run 5k shop with an assortment of GOTR apparel. Both races are open to the public.

Race registration can be found at runsignup.com and also at gotrnjn.org.