WEST ORANGE, 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 on Sunday, Sept. 24, at Turtle Back Zoo and South Mountain Reservoir in West Orange. The charitable race and day of family fun will benefit RWJBarnabas Health’s Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville. Essex County Executive Joseph N. 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 health care 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,” Clara Maass CEO and President Mary Ellen Clyne said in a press release. “For runners, the 5K race will challenge competitors of all ages with an amazing trek around the beautiful South Mountain Reservoir.”
Highlighting the RWJBarnabas Health “Running with the Devils” festivities will be a competitive 5K race, which starts inside Turtle Back Zoo and then takes the runners on a picturesque route around 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 throughout the day include interactive games, appearances by the New Jersey Devils Street Team and the team mascot, as well as an opportunity to meet legendary New Jersey Devils alumni.
“We are thrilled to partner with RWJBarnabas Health on this amazing community event,” Jeff Scott, vice president of community investment and grassroots at the New Jersey Devils, said in the release. “This is a great opportunity to bring these two organizations together to enjoy a day of family fun and we look forward to making this an annual event.”
Registration and check-in for the RWJBarnabas Health “Running with the Devils” 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24, with the race starting at 8:30 a.m. Participation is charged. All 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.; 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 on the event, to become a sponsor or to register for the RWJBarnabas Health “Running with the Devils” 5K or family fun walk, visit www.zoofunrun.org.
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