On Aug. 26, Shore Runner Inc. and Asics are hosting an open cross country event at Bucks Mill Park in Colts Neck called the Shore Runner Summer Showdown. The purpose of this event is to introduce high school runners to cross country racing and also provide an introduction to the soft surfaces of trail running and cross country to those who have run 5K races solely on roads in the past. The boys and girls high school 2.5 mile races are ideal to use as an "end of summer training" time trial, a workout, or just a fun team get-together. In addition to the high school races, the event will include a youth one-mile run and an open 5K to allow anyone to experience cross country racing. A special Summer Showdown race day singlet is included in the race entry fee for the high school 2.5 mile races as well as the open 5K race. Each youth runner will receive a Summer Showdown t-shirt. The event is being coordinated by two former star high school runners - Rob Dennis (Red Bank Regional H.S. class of '04) and Katy Trotter (Red Bank Regional H.S. class of '03) - both of whom are succeeding as runners at their respective colleges, The College of William and Mary and Stanford University. For more information, call (732) 571-3100 or e-mail info@shorerunner.com.

The Jersey Shore Thunder travel baseball team is looking to add several players, especially pitchers and catchers. Open to all boys ages 11 and 12.

Contact coach Tom Bull for more information, (732) 530-5456 or e-mail JSThunder12U@aol.com.