Live Run & Walk Scheduled for Sunday October 24; Virtual Format Offers Additional Participation Options from October 1-24; Exciting Fundraising Incentives Available with ALL Proceeds Supporting Heroic Efforts of 35,000 Healthcare Heroes Across New Jersey
Registration Now Open at rwjbh.org/runningwiththedevils
WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY – Aug 5, 2021 – RWJBarnabas Health, in collaboration with the New Jersey Devils, today announced the annual RWJBarnabas Health “Running with the Devils 5K Run and Wellness Walk” will offer both live and virtual formats in 2021. The Live Run will take place on Sunday, October 24th at Essex County’s South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange, while the Live Wellness Walk will be held at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo. The Virtual format offers an extended opportunity to run or walk at a convenient location within participants’ communities from October 1st - October 24th.
RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils have teamed up to honor RWJBarnabas Health's 35,000 Healthcare Heroes across New Jersey, who after more than a year of navigating a global pandemic, continue to provide essential care to communities throughout the state. In 2021, the event continues to support the commitment of both RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils to build healthier communities by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and world-class healthcare. 100% of proceeds from Running with the Devils will be used to support Healthcare Heroes in their efforts to protect and build healthier communities.
The Live 5K Run will feature a competitive 5K race on a USATF Certified Course, down Cherry Lane and the scenic reservoir at South Mountain Recreation Complex with registration taking place at the Clipper Pavilion beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Wellness Walk, which will take place within Essex County’s award-winning Turtle Back Zoo, is self-paced and participants may arrive any time between 9 a.m. and noon. All registered participants of both the run and walk receive FREE entry to Turtle Back Zoo on event day. The New Jersey Devils popular mascot NJ, along with several mascots from New Jersey-based Universities and professional teams will be cheering on runners and interacting with wellness walk participants and kids inside the zoo.
Similar to last year, participants will also have the option to run or walk around their neighborhoods or on a treadmill using the RunGo App to submit their time and to hear custom messages of support and thanks from New Jersey Devils players and RWJBarnabas patients and medical personnel. The Running with the Devils virtual race will be held from October 1-24. Virtual participants are also eligible for benefits and prizes.
“RWJBH is committed to providing our patients and their families with the most comprehensive and compassionate healthcare possible, even in the most challenging times,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “This annual event aligns with our mission of building healthier communities, and I’m excited that we are offering opportunities to participate on-site or virtually at a convenient location within your community.”
Exciting fundraising incentives are being offered for individuals and teams (live and virtual) based on benchmarks of $100, $250, $500, $1000 and $2500 highlighted by tickets to New Jersey Devils games, signed New Jersey Devils merchandise and video conferences with players and alumni, among others.
“The entire Devils organization is looking forward to the in-person return of the ‘Running with the Devils 5K Run and Walk,’ for its fifth year,” said New Jersey Devils President Jake Reynolds. “Our tremendous partners at RWJBarnabas Health have structured the challenge in a way that enables the community to take on the challenge in a capacity that they are comfortable with- in person or virtually. This event not only brings our fans, organizations and communities together, but it also allows us all to reflect on the importance and impact our healthcare heroes have had in the past 18 months. It will once again be a fantastic event that coincides with the start of what is sure to be an exciting season of Devils’ hockey in October!”
Registration for the event (Live or Virtual, Run or Walk) is $25, prior to August 31st, and $30 from September 1st through race day. Children 11 and under are FREE. Once registered, virtual participants can download the RunGo App, in preparation to run in their neighborhood, at a local park in their community and even on a treadmill. Throughout the course, runners and walkers will enjoy audio messages of encouragement from New Jersey Devils players/alumni and Healthcare Heroes. Awards will be presented for the top three male/female participants, and top three winners in each age category (Live & Virtual).
RWJBarnabas Health Running with the Devils is made possible in part by generous donations from Horizon, New Jersey Imaging Network, and Investors Bank.
Registration is open through midnight on 10/21 at rwjbh.org/runningwiththedevils. Early registration discount available through 8/31.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering nine counties with five million people. The system includes eleven acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, RWJUH in New Brunswick, RWJUH Somerset in Somerville, RWJUH Hamilton, RWJUH Rahway and Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston; three acute care children’s hospitals and a leading pediatric rehabilitation hospital with a network of outpatient centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, a medical group, multi-site imaging centers and an accountable care organization.
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey’s largest private employer – with more than 35,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and 1,000 residents and interns – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health in partnership with Rutgers University is creating New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.