The fifth annual 5k run for Special Olympics took place at 10:00am, outside of the Rowan University Recreation Center.
The event was hosted by RIRSA and Unified Sports, but the secret behind the whole event? The hardworking efforts of Jacqueline Logan, the secretary for RIRSA!
Jacqueline said “it’s always such a pleasure to have community members, students, family, and special Olympics athletes coming out to show their support! It’s always such a fun event and everyone really enjoys it!”
Seventy four participants either ran 5k or walked/ran the one mile fun run, but in total eighty four people had registered, we received well over $800 for the Special Olympics!
The course for the race started at the Rec Center and headed towards Carpenter Street, down to and along Rt. 322, up Bowe Boulevard, through a part of campus, by the Wacker Stadium, back onto Bowe Boulevard and then back to Carpenter Street until the runners hit home by returning to the Rec!
RIRSA members, Rec workers, and Club Cheerleading volunteers were stationed along the route, handing out water, directing runners, and cheering them on! RIRSA members also walked/ran the fun run with some participants, and Kevin Brown (Fitness Area Assistant) and Luke Meola (Personal Trainer) took an active role in the race by acting as lead and anchor, respectively.
Divisions offered were Men’s Student, Men’s Non-Student, Women’s Student, and Women’s Non-Student. Each division winner received an intramural champion t-shirt and medal.
Non-Student division winners: Gary Baker and Kelly Cacia
Student Division Winners: Michael Scala and Amy Abbot.
The funds raised through this event will help advance the goal of Special Olympics New Jersey, to provide free year-round training and competition in 24 Olympic-type sports to more than 24,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.