The 3rd Annual 5K & Family Fun Run was held on Sunday, October 12th at Darlington Park in Mahwah, NJ. A record-number 300 people participated in the event, raising over $32,000 to help families fighting pediatric cancers and other life-threatening diseases - nearly triple last year's total!!

Setting yet another record this year, 22 5K participants chose to become "Reach Runners," asking families and friends to sponsor their participation in the event. This year's group of Reach Runners generated almost $15,000 - led by cancer survivor & elementary school gym teacher Jim Ross of Oakland, NJ, who single-handedly raised $1,390 for Family Reach. Kicking off the Fun Run was six-year old Jared Colon, brother of two-year old Family Reach grant recipient Zoe Colon of Fairlawn, NJ. Zoe Colon suffers from a number of health ailments, including seizures, optic atrophy, reflux, loss of muscle tone, as well as thyroid problems, with no diagnosis and limited help from the insurance company for her extensive health needs. Jared launched the Expect Miracles balloons, signaling the start of the untimed 1-mile race.

The 5K & Fun Run offered an exhilarating community day for everyone in the family, with festivities from Freckles the Clown, face-painting, temporary tattoos, massages, and more. Local sponsors included Starbucks Coffee, GlaxoSmithKline, ShopRite, and Velocity Sports Performance.

Fun Run Winner & Runner-Up:

• William Sidaros (age 11) of Oakland, NJ
• Elizabeth Sidaros (age 13) of Oakland, NJ

5K Winners:

• Best time: Alex Wechsler (age 22) of Paramus , NJ : 17:00.5
• Top female finisher: Janice Morra (age 50) of Morristown , NJ : 20:46.9
• Youngest participant: Sophia Swanson (age 7) of Ridgewood , NJ : 37:00. (Awarded a gift certificate to Toys R Us)

Thank you to all the participants and volunteers for making the 3rd Annual Family Reach 5K & Fun Run a success! Please click here for Race Results.