BELLEVILLE, NJ — The inaugural RWJBarnabas Health “Running with the Devils 5K Run and Family Fun Walk,” in partnership with the New Jersey Devils, will take place Sunday, Sept. 24, at Essex County’s Turtle Back Zoo and South Mountain Reservoir. The charitable race and day of family fun will benefit RWJBarnabas Health’s Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville.
Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. is honorary chairman of the event and WABC-TV news anchor Ken Rosato will serve as master of ceremonies. RWJBarnabas Health is the official healthcare provider of the New Jersey Devils
“Early fall is a great time to visit the Turtle Back Zoo and this event promises to be a fun-filled day for the whole family, all for the benefit of the Clara Maass Medical Center,” said Mary Ellen Clyne, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Clara Maass Medical Center. “For runners, the 5K race will challenge competitors of all-ages, with an amazing trek through the beautiful South Mountain Reservoir.”
Highlighting the festivities will be a competitive 5K race, which starts inside the Turtle Back Zoo and then takes the runners on a picturesque route through the South Mountain Reservoir. Complementing the race will be a family fun walk that takes participants on a journey throughout the zoo, providing the chance to see more than 100 different species of animals from five continents. Other activities include interactive games on site, appearances by the New Jersey Devils Street Team and the team mascot, as well as an opportunity to meet legendary New Jersey Devils alumni.
Registration and check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, with the race starting at 8:30 a.m. Runners can compete as individuals, or as a team. A fee is charged for all entrants. Entries include zoo admission for the day, an event T-shirt and completion medal. Awards for the 5K Run will be presented to the top three male, female and child finishers.
The family fun walk begins at 8:45 a.m. Children under 4 are free. The fee includes an event T-shirt and zoo admission for the day.
As part of the charitable aspect of RWJBarnabas Health “Running with the Devils,” and to encourage team participation, there will be several awards presented to individuals who lead the fundraising effort in support of the Clara Maass Medical Center. For more information visit www.zoofunrun.org.
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