Sgt. Pat's 5K Run in L.B.
The Jersey Shore Running Club hosted the 19th annual Sgt. Pat's 5K Run and 2-Mile Fitness Walk onMarch 22 on the city promenade and boardwalk. The event is held every year in honor of slain Long Branch Officer Sgt. Patrick King.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff From top to bottom: Members of the Long Branch Police Department Motorcycle Division lead the way for runners in the Sgt. Pat's Run on the boardwalk in Long Branch on March 22. Long Branch's Martin Preuss (No. 633) and Atlantic Highlands' Kiernan DeLaurier (No. 390) participate in the 5K run and two-mile fitness walk.

The event included a 5K race, a twomile fitness walk and kids' races of various distances. Amenities included T-shirts to participants and a free postrace pasta party at the Celtic Cottage, 608 Second Ave.

The 5K run started at 11 a.m., followed by the two-mile walk at 11:05 a.m. and then children's races at 11:30 a.m.

The 5K race offered five age-group awards, as well as awards to the first five male and female PBA member finishers. Awards were also given to the PBA local and the law enforcement agency with the most participants and the PBA that traveled the farthest.

Local schools participating in the event received prizes based on the number of run and walk participants representing the school.

The race was sponsored by Long Branch PBA Local 10. Portions of the net proceeds benefited the Patrick King Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to students at Long Branch High School. Proceeds also benefited Holiday Express, HABcore Inc. and the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County.

Last year, more than 900 people participated in the event and more than $20,000 was raised.