Runners pound the pavement in last year's SBB8K

…That’s 5 miles for all those uninitiated to the metric system. Save Barnegat Bay, a local grass-roots group aiming to save our bay from extinction, will host its 4th annual race and fitness walk this Saturday (June 27).

Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the race takes off at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers, who are welcomed on race day even if they haven’t registered, are asked to show up at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m. but will be handsomely rewarded with t-shirts and breakfast.

The race winds down Baltimore Avenue, around West Point Island and down Bay Boulevard – quite the scenic route, if I do say so myself. Walkers get the same tour of WPI but not quite as much of Bay Boulevard’s lovely windiness.

Those who are fast on their feet will be honored at an awards ceremony at 10:15 in front of the Lavallette firehouse. Best of all, everyone who took the initiative to disturb their Saturday morning slumber with exercise will be rewarded with a post-race party at the Crab’s Claw.

A $30 day-of registration fee ($23 for walkers) gets you a T-shirt, commemorative glass and entrance to the party.

2006-07 champ Pat chugs along, cheered on by his sister. Although he was bested in '08, he's looking to return to victory in '09. (Photo courtesy of the man himself.)