The Ashenfelter 8K Classic is run on Thanksgiving morning. The race is named after Horace Ashenfelter, the 1952 Olympic Gold Medalist in the 3,000 Meter Steeplechase. Mr. Ashenfelter has been at the race every year I've ran it and addresses the crowd, speaks with people and hangs around. It's really cool to run a race in a small town with an Olympic champion there encouraging runners.

The past three years I've run the race, there have been around 3,000 runners in the race. The course is nice, mostly flat, with small rolling hills. Just one significant incline towards the end of the race but it's not long or anything. The course has a couple of water stations which is nice. Many residents of Glen Ridge are out on their front yards cheering on the runners as they pass by. The homes are beautiful and the roads are in pretty good shape. The race has some of the best runners in NJ along with plenty of casual runners. It's a real nice mix. I love running this race. You can't beat a race like this on Thanksgiving morning before you get to enjoy all of the food during the holiday.

After the race, they do a phenomenal job with water, bagels, coffee, donuts, granola bars, etc. Plenty of food and drinks for the runners. Packet pick up is the night before and in the gym. It flows really well. You can pick up your packets the morning of as well. Parking is mostly street parking throughout the neighborhood but I've never had an issue.

I would say this is my favorite race I run every year.