Live Run & Wellness Walk Scheduled for Sunday, October 30 with Virtual Format Participation Options from October 1-30; Exciting Fundraising Incentives Available and Proceeds Support Heroic Efforts of Healthcare Heroes
Discounted Registration Available Through August 31st at rwjbh.org/runningwiththedevils
WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY – July 27, 2022 – RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils are once again teaming up to honor Healthcare Heroes who work tirelessly to provide essential care to communities throughout New Jersey, as the 6th annual RWJBarnabas Health Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk will offer both live and virtual formats in 2022. The live 5K Run will take place on Sunday, October 30th 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 30th.
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 Run will feature a competitive 5K race on a USATF Certified Course along Cherry Lane and the scenic reservoir at South Mountain Recreation Complex. 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.
For individuals and families not available to participate in the live event, the virtual format offers the option to run or walk around a neighborhood, at a local park or even on a treadmill from October 1st – October 30th using the RunGo App. Virtual participants are also eligible for prizes and will receive FREE access to Turtle Back Zoo between Oct. 31st and Dec. 31st. Virtual runners and walkers will hear custom audio messages of support and encouragement from New Jersey Devils players and RWJBarnabas Health patients and Healthcare Heroes via the RunGo App.
“While this annual event supports the commitment of both RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils to build healthier communities by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and world-class health care, it’s also an opportunity to recognize the selfless and heroic efforts of our 38,000+ Healthcare Heroes who continue to work tirelessly every day,” said Barry H. Ostrowsky, Chief Executive Officer, RWJBarnabas Health.
Exciting fundraising incentives are being offered for individuals and teams (Live and Virtual) based on benchmarks of $100, $250, $500, $1000 and $2,500, highlighted by tickets to New Jersey Devils games, signed New Jersey Devils merchandise, and the opportunity to engage with the trainer/alumni, among others. Awards will be presented for the top three finishers overall and in multiple age categories (Live & Virtual).
“The entire Devils’ organization is incredibly proud to once again partner with RWJBarnabas Health’s ‘Running with the Devils 5K Run and Walk,’ for its sixth year,” said Jake Reynolds, President, New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center. “We look forward to the event bringing our fans and communities together, while recognizing the importance of health and wellness for all. When the run happens, we know it coincides with a great time- the beginning of Devils’ hockey in October!”
RWJBarnabas Health Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk is made possible in part by generous donations from Horizon and New Jersey Imaging Network.
Registration for the event is NOW Open! Discounted registration is available through August 31st, and Children 11 and under are FREE. For more information on the event, or to register for the RWJBarnabas Health “Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk,” please visit rwjbh.org/runningwiththedevils.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, 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, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, three acute care children’s hospitals, Children’s Specialized Hospital with a network of outpatient pediatric rehabilitation 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, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health launched an affiliation with Rutgers University to create 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. For more information, visit rwjbh.org.
Contact:
Ari Edelman
Mastro Communications, Inc.
908-313-7861
aedelman@mastrocomm.com