Red Cross to hold 'Run For The Red 5K Race and Walk' Dec. 7

Lace your sneakers and bundle up for a good cause because the American Red Cross North Jersey Region will host the annual Run For The Red 5K Race and Walk on Sunday, Dec. 7 in Millburn.

The community event is being coordinated with the help of Investors Bank as official sponsor and partners including Sneaker Factory, The Alternative Press and the Millburn Township Committee. 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.

“We have been expanding our reach to attract both competitive runners and casual joggers and walkers,” 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 on 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. 2. Event day registration is $25 on site or at the Sneaker Factory on Millburn Avenue in Millburn on Dec. 4, 5, and 6. USATF-NJ members receive a $3 discount. The first 300 participants to pick up race packets receive a long-sleeve souvenir T-shirt and the first 200 also receive a $15 gift certificate towards the purchase of new running shoes from the Sneaker Factory. 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 the North Jersey Region.

“We are thrilled to be pulling the community together to make an impact on such an important mission,” says O’Brien. “Every day, the Red Cross is responding to disasters locally and nationwide. In fact, since November 1, the Red Cross North Jersey Region has responded to 25 home fires and helped 90 displaced families – more than 300 people – with shelter, food, clothing and emotional support,” said O’Brien.

Learn more about Run For The Red 5K Race and Walk at redcross.org/NorthJerseyRegion. Participants are encouraged to dress warmly. Run For The Red 5K Race and Walk is a rain, snow, or shine event.