The American Red Cross will host its 10th Annual Run for the Red 5K Race and Walk on Sunday, Dec. 6, in Millburn.
The community event is being coordinated with the help of Investors Bank as official sponsor and partners including Millburn Free Public Library, Sneaker Factory, TAPinto Millburn, Millburn-Short Hills Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Millburn. Event co-chairs Barry and Pat O'Brien of Short Hills expect this year's race to be the largest in the event's history.
"This is a terrific event for competitive runners, casual joggers and walkers alike," says Barry O'Brien. "This year we are also calling on our participants to raise funds through a great online feature to maximize our success for the mission of the Red Cross."
Teams of walkers and runners are welcome to participate in the race and can compete for fundraising prizes and race awards to 5K finishers by age group and by team. The event offers participants a community day complete with door prizes, a DJ, snacks and hot chocolate after the race and team photos. Additionally, Red Cross blood donors will be given a "Life Saver" tag to wear on race day in recognition of their life-saving actions.
Event day registration and check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Millburn Free Public Library located at 200 Glen Avenue in Millburn. Children can compete in free Kid's Fun Sprint at 9:30 a.m. and the official race begins at 10 a.m.
Walkers and runners will enjoy a certified race course sanctioned by USATF-NJ that provides members with 500 grand prix points and is chip timed and scored by Compuscore. The race is an "out and back" course that goes up into the South Mountain Reservation and returns with a fast, down-hill stretch and flat finish.
Registration is $20 for all participants who register in advance. The last day for online registration is Dec. 1. Event day registration is $25 on site or at the Sneaker Factory on Millburn Avenue in Millburn on Dec. 3-5. USATF-NJ members receive a $3 discount. The first 300 participants to pick up race packets receive a long-sleeve souvenir T-shirt. Kid's Fun Sprint racers can register on event day and can expect a ribbon for participating.
Proceeds from Run for the Red 5K Race and Walk support Red Cross services in New Jersey.
"We are excited to be able to bring the community together to help support the Red Cross mission," says O'Brien. "Every day the Red Cross responds to disasters locally and across the country to help those in need. Last year, the Red Cross responded to 889 disasters in New Jersey to provide comfort and emergency assistance to 1,820 families."
Learn more about Run for the Red 5K Race and Walk at redcross.org/NorthJerseyRegion. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly and to stay after the run for the Downtown Millburn Snowflake Parade at 1:30 p.m. Run for the Red 5K Race and Walk is a rain, snow, or shine event.
Event sponsors include: Investors Bank, M&T Bank, Church & Dwight, Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., AIG, Joe's Pizzeria & Vittoria Restaurante, Maplecrest Lincoln Ford, NFP P&C Private Client Group, Theatre Arts PT, La Strada, Richard Schonberg, DMD, New Wyoming Cleaners.