Millburn Dads 15 Strong Tackle Trails For Charity

MILLBURN, NJ - Fifteen Millburn Dads are part of larger 18-person contingent attempting to conquer a total of 380 miles in a series of overnight trail running events at separate locations in New Jersey and Arizona to raise money for Memories Live, a Millburn based non-profit that makes movies for individuals who have terminal illnesses.

"Our group started trail running in South Mountain reservation for fun five or six years ago and since then we have expanded as more guys have become interested, said runner Neil Glass. "We were introduced to the Ragnar Trail Series in 2016, when we ran at Wawayanda. We added in the Arizona race in 2017 and this season decided to run both New Jersey and Arizona."

Two relay teams of eight started their journey earlier this month in West Milford, where they ran over 250 miles in total at Ragnar and at Wawayanda State Park. The runners included Millburn locals Glass, Barry Handwerger, Chris Rusert, Scott Redler, Jonathan Justice, Cliff Wall, Rich Tomko, David Kanarek, Ari Osur, Michael Feldman, David Weiss, Judd Carlton, Greg Berman, Yair Naveh, plus Brian Rost of Livingston and David Larkin of New York City.

Each runner tackled three unique trails, between 3.7 miles and 6.8 miles in distance, running approximately 16 miles each. Runners competed all night, wearing headlamps on the course in darkness, while camping out.

"The 18 guys that we have across the teams are a mix of athletes, runners, triathletes, four of whom have completed the Ironman triathlon distance," Glass said. "To get ready for Ragnar we will trail run during most of the year and as we get closer to racing season will add in some practice runs in the dark with headlamps and also some back to back runs to replicate the Ragnar format."

The two teams finished 1st and 2nd in their age group (men’s masters) and in the top 26 out of nearly 200 teams. As a result of their efforts at Wawayanda, the teams were able to raise more than $7,000 for Memories Live (www.memorieslive.org).

Memories Live and its director Kerry Glass make movies for individuals facing terminal illnesses as leave behinds for their families, allowing them to share their stories, advice and memories. Glass has made more than 170 movies for individuals across the metro area and does so at no cost to her clients, as the non profit is supported exclusively through donations, grants and fundraisers.

Glass said that with this type of team event, it's important to have a few extra runners available to step in, in case of injury.

"Last year, we competed in Arizona with six runners, instead of eight due to injuries," Glass said. "With each passing year, we find more local runners interested in learning about Ragnar and the trail series and we welcome all of those who want to join and look forward to expanding next year."

Eight of the runners, including Millburn native Craig Leisher and Randolph resident Rob DiCostanzo will make their way to McDowell Mountain State Park near Scottsdale in early November for the Ragnar Arizona event with the goal of an additional 125 trail running miles and hopefully raising $3,000 more for Memories Live.

According to Glass, friends and family often respond with "Why?" or "You're crazy" when he told them what he was doing.

"But its a great way to enjoy and appreciate natural surroundings, stay in shape, develop a strong sense of camaraderie with teammates and raise money for Memories Live," Glass said.

(Photo 1: Millburn's Rich Tomko starts his first of three legs in the Ragnar NJ trail running race, photo credit Chris Rusert)

(Photo 2: Millburn's Barry Handwerger starts his first of three legs in the Ragnar NJ trail running race, photo credit Chris Rusert)

(Photo 3: Millburn's Scott Redler prepares for his second of three legs in the Ragnar NJ trail running race, photo credit Chris Rusert)

(Photo 4: Millburn's Rough Riders for Memories Live team; front (L to R): Barry Handwerger, Cliff Wall, Scott Redler, Chris Rusert; back row (L to R) David Kanarek, Jonathan Justice, Neil Glass, photo credit Ragnar)

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