Last Day for Online Sign Up

Getting Excited for Saturday? Don't Miss Out.

Tomorrow is the last day for online sign ups for the 2011 Bay Head 5K Race.  If you have been procrastinating, CLICK THIS LINK and join the close to 1,000 folks that will be having a great time on Saturday running (or walking) through one of the most attractive race courses in the country.

By signing up online, you will speed through registration the morning of and be able to relax.  No worrying about where to put your money and where to hold your change. 

While you are at it, also sign up for the after party, it is as much fun as the race and you can enjoy some "adult soda" as Freddy Walther likes to say.

See you Saturday!

And Then There Was 3

Will you be the 1,000th runner registered for the Bay Head 5K?  Well, with only 3 days left for online registration, you better hurry up and make sure you are not shut out!

We have put in an order for a beautifully sunny day and we think we are getting it this year.  There is nothing better than a community of friends old and new and family of the Bay Head community getting together to kick off summer and support the great cause of the Kate Shea Foundation. 

If you have already signed up....forward an email to your friends.  Get everyone you know to join our special day. 

Don't forget about the legendary beach party that has brought hundreds of runners, non-runners and fun seekers alike to the first beach day of the year for 8 years.  I can smell the grill already.

See you on Saturday.

The Countdown Begins!

There are only 10 days left until race day!  If you haven't yet, please visit Bayhead5k.com to register for the race and afterparty at Martell's Tiki Bar.  Please know that if you aren't able to register online, you can register for the race on the morning of.  There will be several registration tables in the Bay Head Fire House on Bridge Avenue before the race begins.  And if you're planning on welcoming summer with a mimosa after the race, you can purchase tickets to the afterparty at the door of Martells.  There will be music, live auction, full buffet, and open bar from 12 to 2 so don't miss out!

This is the time of year where every member of the Kate Shea Foundation is working rigorously to ensure that everything is ready for race day. For me, its the most fun time. Working with Kate's best friends' from high school, people I don't get to see as often as I'd like, brings part of her back to life for me.  It is such an honor to work with such dedicated and loving people who all share the same mission: kicking leukemia's butt!  Although race day is bittersweet for my family and I, it is truely such a wonderful tribute and celebration of Kate's life.

Please invite all of your friends and family to join you on race day.  I know all of mine will be there!  See you at the finish line.

Meg Shea

Celebrate Armed Forces Day with the Kate Shea Foundation!

This year our race falls on Armed Forces Day.  Kate's Uncle Eddie fought for his country during Vietnam and gave his life in doing so.  Her grandfather fought bravely in the Battle of the Bulge during World World II.  We like to think that our Uncle Eddie and Grandfather welcomed Katie into heaven on December 26, 1998. Our family is no stranger to the sacrifice our soldiers make everyday to ensure the safety of all us.  In light of the recent demise of Osama Bin Laden thanks to our troops, we are thrilled to share our race day with the amazing and awe-inspiring soldiers that work tirelessly to protect our wonderful country.  We have no doubt that there will be memebers of our armed forces present at the Bay Head 5K on May 21st.  If you are a soldier, because once a soldier always a soldier, please make yourself known to one of the Kate Shea Foundation staffers on the day of the race.  We want to make sure to invite you back to the Shea's home on East Avenue in Bay Head following the race so we can raise a glass to you in thanks and appreciation for all that you do.

We look forward to seeing you all on race day!

Register for The Bay Head 5K!

It is almost May, which means the Bay Head 5K is almost here again!

We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend and took advantage of that great Easter Sunday weather and got in a practice 5k because the true kickoff to the Summer Season, the Bay Head 5K is less than a month away and you need to dust off the running (Or walking) shoes and get ready for the big day.

It’s hard to believe that this is our 8^th year. We are so thankful to all of our volunteers and sponsors who have worked so hard to make this event a true success.

We were happy today to hear that many of our past sponsors and good friends including Conover Beyer Associates, Harmony Bank, The Jakubowski Family and Pine Belt Auto Group have renewed their sponsorship. We also have the pleasure of new partners including Goody's who are donating 1,000 runners hair bands for our race bag which is a $4,000 in kind donation.  Thank you to all and be sure to be one of the first 1,000 runners to get your hair tie! It is like getting a 25% discount on your race entry.  With your shirt, hair tie and other fun stuff all included in your entry, runners will start making moeny just by signing up!

The Bay Head 5K raises money for research in the hope of one day finding a cure for Leukemia and other blood related cancers. Our inspiration for this is Kate Shea, who lost her life to Leukemia. This race is in her name, and we run in her memory. We call it the “Memory run,” because we have all been affected by cancer. So strap on your those running/walking/jogging shoes and join us on May 21^st and do it in memory of someone close to your heart.

And after you run, come and celebrate with us at Martell’s Tiki Bar in Pt. Pleasant for our annual after party starting at noon, including open bar and a great bbq.

If you can't join, please donate.

Cheers!

The Bay Head 5K team.

3 Cheers for 3 Day Weekends!

Easter weekend is just a few days away, and for our Jewish friends, all of us at the Kate Shea Foundation wish you a Happy Passover!  Whatever religion you may identify with however, one cause we all can come together for is finding a cure for cancer.  Although this may seem like an insurmountable challenge, every little step toward this goal counts.

The Bay Head 5K is one of the steps leading to what we hope will one day be a cure for leukemia and other blood related cancers.  We encourage you to come and join us on May 21st to celebrate the lives of those who have won, and those who have lost their battles with cancer.  

As you spend time with your families this weekend, please remember to include our cause in your thoughts and prayers.  The importance of family is never lost on the Sheas as we have a large one ourselves.  From our family to yours we wish you a happy holiday weekend.  And remember: you can never hug or kiss your loved ones too much!

Spring has sprung so get out there and go for a run!

Although it may not feel like spring right now, it is in fact the season of April showers bringing May flowers.  And with May flowers comes something else...the Bay Head 5K!

Just a reminder to start running/walking if you haven't already done so.  3.3 miles may seem like a big challenge to some of you, but every minute you run/walk you're raising money for blood related cancers.  We can't thank all of you enough for your support in fundraising and increasing awareness for the Bay Head 5k.

There's only 38 days left people!!  HOP TO IT!!

The Race is Right Around the Corner!

There's 42 days left until race day!  Register online at bayhead5k.com and get to training! Don't forget to purchase tickets to the afterparty at Martell's Tiki Bar to celebrate the day with us.  Looking forward to meeting you all!

Celebrating Kate Shea's Birthday

Today, March 16th, would have been Kate's 38th birthday.  She was a fierce animal rights advocate, lover of all things cheese, extremely hard working, world traveling, and General Hospital obsessed woman.  The middle child of 5 children, Kate was a fierce protector when it came to her family.  She was quick with her wit and her words.  There was no battle big enough for her to conquer.  Her biggest battle, Leukemia, proved to be her hardest fight. Her life was unfairly cut short at the age of 25 by this terrible disease.  I often wonder what her life would be like now if she was still here with us today.  Would she be married?  Would she be teaching and living near the beach like she always wanted?  How many cats would she have? (She was always saving stranded animals.)  Would she approve of my boyfriend?

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss my sister.  The grief of her passing may be over, but the grief of not having her here with me to experience my major life events is too painful for words.  

So here's to a being at a loss for words.  Let's raise a glass on this St. Patrick's Day Eve in memory of our Kate and all those whose lives have been affected by leukemia.  Please join us on May 21st to pay tribute to our loved ones. 

I know Kate will be there, shining down from above, cheering us to the finish line.

-Megan Shea

Margot Miller: 2011's Official Bay Head 5K Photographer!

The Kate Shea Foundation is THRILLED to welcome the talented NYC based artist, Margot Miller, as the official photographer for the 2011 Bay Head 5K!

Margot was an illustration major/photography minor at Syracuse University where she graduated from in 2005.  Her work has been published by Dunkin Donuts, Kendall/Hunt Publishing, Layers Magazine, The Outreach for Breast Health Foundation, The Post Standard, Swarovski, and Time Out New York.

Margot is always more than excited to be involved in charity work of any kind, and she has offered her services to the Kate Shea Foundation free of charge.  We are so excited to have Margot aboard this year!  Please copy and past the following two links into your browser to see some of Margot's recent photography.

http://icedgrandesoylatte.blogspot.com/2010/12/recent-job.html

http://icedgrandesoylatte.blogspot.com/2010/10/some-recent-work.html

And please visit margotmiller.com to see all of Margot's work!