With the autumn season moving in, the once-scorching summer days are changing to cool mornings with warmer afternoons—marking the perfect climate for exhilarating 5K runs and walks. On Sunday, September 18, Clara Maass Medical Center held their annual fun run and walk, taking fellow runners, walkers and donors on an exciting tour through West Orange’s Turtle Back Zoo.
The festivities began bright and early Sunday morning, with a great turn-out consisting of families, friends and colleagues congregating outside the Reptile House of Turtle Back Zoo to stretch, listen and dance to some electrifying music to get pumped for the race.
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Life is Better At This Event
The event, aptly named the “Life is Better Healthy 5K Run and Walk,” offered a 5K run and a 2K walk through one of New Jersey’s best zoos. Runners were able to travel around the park’s beautiful lake for a breezy 3.1-mile run, while walkers traversed the zoo’s grounds, passing exotic creatures who were slowly rising from their morning slumber.
The run and walk was held to benefit the always growing and improving Clara Maass Medical Center of Belleville. The event featured a slew of sponsors, including the Clara Maass medical staff, RWJBarnabas Health, Nanina’s in the Park, the Park Savoy Estate, NJM Insurance Group and the Nutley Park Shop Rite, among many others.
The event also featured a number of special guests: Speakers included ABC anchor Ken Rosato, President and Chief Executive Officer of Clara Maass Mary Ellen Clyne, PhD., and Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo.
The Life is Better Healthy 5K Run and Walk was another exciting event that welcomed people of all ages and sizes to take part in an effort to promote exercise and healthy living. Participants had a blast traveling through Turtle Back Zoo and gazing at the variety of colorful animals who call this West Orange park home.
While Clara Maass Medical Center hosts several fundraisers each year to benefit their hospital and patients, this one brought a “mass” of individuals together to promote good health and proper care for a great cause. Be sure to keep an eye out for this awesome event when it comes back to Turtle Back Zoo next year.
Hero (Top) Feature Image (& Additional Images): © Patrick Lombardi / Best of NJ
