Saddle River Hosts 5k in Memory of Resident, Susan Zabransky Hughes

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Saddle River NJ, “I am very proud of this event, its organizers and the entire town of Saddle River and of course its residents and friends of the town. Like you Derek and thank you for stopping by. This is what makes Saddle River and its residents: compassion, quest for life and enormous generosity” said Al Kurpis to USR resident Derek Michalski

The day began with a USATF certified 5K family run/walk sponsored by the Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation and the Run for Sue Committee in memory of Saddle River resident, Susan Zabransky Hughes, who lost her battle with cervical cancer in July 2011 at the age of 46.

Immediately after the run the post-race celebration began. The place: Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. This year the run included refreshments, live music, awards ceremony and children’s activities. Proceeds will continue to fund the Susan Zabransky Hughes Memorial Scholarship at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine at Seton Hall University. Funding will also continue for two weeks of camp at Pony Power Therapies in Mahwah for pediatric patients treated at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Somebody asked me after seeing my “Zabransky Post” on my FB Wall from few years ago: “Is it a real race Derek? Or just rich folks collecting money for a good cause”. Believe me it’s a real race and the collection is real as well. People are very generous in this town. As far as the race is concerned it is USATF Certified & Sanctioned 5k course. It qualifies for NJ Grand Prix Event – 500 Points with chip timing at the start and finish lines by CompuScore. It has One loop through scenic Saddle River & into Upper Saddle River on paved surface and offers water stations and pace clocks along the course. And what about awards?

Here is the breakdown:

$100 Cash Prize for top overall male and female finishers

Medals for top 3 overall finishers

Medals for top 3 finishers in each age group (male & female): 9 & under: 10-12; 13-15; 16-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60 & over

Medals for first male and female Saddle River residents

Prizes to the two fastest teams

Chocolate medals for children.

T-shirts for participants ( to whomever registeredregister by April 7)

And here are the results: https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/6883/#resultSetId-151908;perpage:10

What a great day in a great community!