NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The third annual Haunted Hustle 5K will be hitting the streets of Newtown Borough on Saturday.
Longtime resident Jen Nicholl is putting the finishing touches on the third "Haunted Hustle 5K," which will raise funds for the nonprofit NR2F1 Foundation while adding to Newtown's spirited Halloween season.
"I wanted to have a 5K fundraiser that wasn't just a fundraiser, but a fun event," said Nicholl, who sits on the board of the NR2F1 Foundation. "I also adore my town, and I wanted to tie in a fun event. So I settled on a Halloween event because people in Newtown love their town and they love Halloween."
The Haunted Hustle is scheduled to step off on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. at the Chancellor Center. The race will then follow a course that will take participants through historic Newtown, ending back at the Chancellor Center for an awards ceremony, refreshments, and live music.
To add to the fun, Nicholl encourages everyone to come dressed in their spookiest Halloween gear and costumes. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in various categories.
Spooky music and pre-race snacks will greet participants beginning at 7:30 a.m. at 30 North Chancellor Street. And participants can choose either to run or to walk the course.
Check-in, late registration, and pre-race festivities take place from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. 
Stretching and warm-up begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the race at 9 a.m. and awards at 10 a.m. The cost is $50 for adults and $25 for children (0 to 12). To register and for more information, click here.
All smiles at last year's Haunted Hustle. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
(Jeff Werner/Patch)
Giving away Squishmallows. (Jeff Werner/Patch)
Prizes for the professionally timed, USA Track and Field-certified race will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers. And everyone who pre-registers will receive an event t-shirt and a finisher medal.
Back again this year will be a "Squishmallow" giveaway while supplies last.
In addition, runners and walkers over the age of 21 will receive a coupon good for a free brew at an after-party at the Second Sin Taproom on North State Street. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Second Sin will also be donating 10 percent of all purchases to the NR2F1 Foundation.
Nicholl helped found the NR2F1 Foundation after her daughter, Maggie, was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder just before her third birthday.
After learning her daughter's diagnosis, Nicholl searched unsuccessfully for a support group or a foundation.
Because the disease is so rare, there wasn't a lot out there at the time, she said. So she set out to start a new foundation with five other moms whom she met through social media.
The foundation began as a Facebook page and eventually morphed into a nonprofit organization in 2018.
"It's become a great resource," she said. "There are now a few hundred diagnosed, but it's still considered an ultra rare disorder."
Her daughter continues to be challenged by the disorder, which results in intellectual difficulties, autism, and visual impairments. There is no cure.
"As an organization, we're working to empower families and individuals living with rare NR2F1 variants through education, advocacy, and research.
"Our mission at NR2F1 Foundation is to empower families and individuals living with rare NR2F1 variants through education, advocacy, and research," said Nicholl. "Our vision is that every single family and individual living with rare NR2F1 variants will live a full and empowered life."
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Newtown Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.