Union Township Chamber Plans Sixth Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run

Runners and walkers of all levels are invited to join the Union Township Chamber of Commerce again this year at its Sixth Annual Mayor’s Day 5K Run on Sunday, September 25. A committee has been actively working over the summer to plan and expand this year’s event. Deep Foods, Inc, of Union has signed on as Event Sponsor and the Gateway Family YMCA is the sponsor of the “Kid’s Run” portion of the event.

Held rain or shine, the race will start and end at Union High School on Cooke Drive, following a course certified by USA Track & Field. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. with the actual race commencing at 9:00 a.m.

Eugene Mitchell of Investors Bank and Hayley O’Connor of Electro America, Inc, both of Union, have been named co-chairs of this year’s 5K. Other committee members include: Joseph Stampone, Major Printing Company; David Arminio, Union Township Historical Society; Angel Cartagena, Batteries Plus Bulbs; Brian Castell, BSFC Marketing; Jinet Ventura, United Community & Business Solutions; Laura Rokosz, Egglrock Nutrition; Michael Atanasio, Overlook Medical Center; Paul Mickiewicz, Gateway Family YMCA; Laura Bretzger, City Fire Equipment Company; and Regina Nicholls, Investors Bank.

“This year marks the sixth anniversary of this popular community event, and we are working to make it our biggest and best ever,” said Chamber Executive James Masterson. “We are grateful to the Township of Union Board of Education for generously hosting this event, and we are excited to hold this event once again”

Prizes will be awarded for various categories, and t-shirts and gift bags will be distributed to participants.

Masterson added that a portion of the proceeds will go to help defray the medical expenses of local families affected by ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The event is dedicated in memory of three family members of Union residents who suffered from the disease: Emilio Delagadillo, Veronica Coakley-Conrad and Thomas Coakley.

“We are so pleased that Union Mayor Manuel Figueiredo chose ALS as our cause this year,” Masterson said. “We encourage our community to come out and help provide assistance to individuals and families affected by this disease.”

To register, go online to https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/UnionTownship/MayorsDay5KRunWalk. Further information is available by contacting the Chamber directly at 908-688-2777, visiting www.unionchamber.com or emailing the Chamber at executivedirector@unionchamber.com.

The day will also feature a Kid’s Run for grades K through 5 at the high school’s Cooke Memorial Football Field. This event will begin at 9:00 a.m., with registration from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The cost to participate is $7.00, payable at the gate. This year, they have also opened up registration for the Kid’s Run, online, by visiting http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ectehkm0be1d21c2&llr=7ia5z8dab&showPage=true.

Businesses wishing to become a sponsor may contact Masterson at executivedirector@unionchamber.com for a listing of the various levels of support. All sponsorships include a table at the event for businesses to showcase their companies.

In addition to Deep Foods and the Gateway Family YMCA, other sponsors include: Gold Sponsors: Northfield Bank, Whole Foods and Bayada Home Health Care; Presenting Sponsor: Ray Catena of Union; Silver Sponsors: JAG Physical Therapy, Maplecrest Ford Lincoln, Magic Fountain of Union; ConnectOne Bank, Twin Boro Physical Therapy; Union Municipal Drug Alliance, Buy-Wise Auto Parts, Sunburst Gymnastics, Spencer Savings Bank, Club Metro USA , Womens’s Health Care Imaging, PSEG, Batteries Plus Bulbs, Jimmy John’s; Overlook Medical Center and Shake A Paw Rescue and Adoption Center; Bronze Sponsors: Espin Preschool Learning Center; Union and Raritan Anesthesia Associates, Bagels and Beans, Women’s Heathcare Care Imaging Center; First Baptist Church of Vauxhall, Union Animal Hospital, SM Service and Technology; Hehl and Hehl Attorneys and Investors Bank; Friends of the Chamber: AAA Northeast, Cynthia McGhee Insurance Agency, The MAX of Springfield-Union, Union Township Historical Society, Muscle Maker Grill, Major Printing Company, Levajac and Associates, James Guerra Architects, Mental Health Association of NJ, Patel Printing Plus, The Theater Project, United Community & Business Solutions, City Fire Equipment Company, Unity Bank, NJ Hair Studio and Spa, Egglrock Nutrition, Woolley Home Solutions and AdvoCare; Supporting Sponsors: Township of Union Board of Education, Sneaker Factory, AVE, Road ID, Roselle Glass Co., Boys and Girls Club of Union County, Joel Simpson Photography, the Union Police Department and Cozy Corner Deli and Caterers.