the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Fred d’Elia Ridgewood Run was created by Manfred (Fred) d’Elia and his wife, world-class runner Toshiko d’Elia, in 1976. Tired of driving his wife into Manhattan for competition with the New York Road Runners, Fred decided to create his own race to attract serious runners to their hometown. The inaugural Ridgewood Run took off with runners sporting hand-made bib numbers with Fred acting as race director, course certifier and timer. “With no money to put on a race, we all had our tasks,” recalls Toshiko d’Elia. “I hand-delivered all the race applications around town to save on stamps and our daughter Erica, was handed a black dry-marker to make race numbers.”
Since its inception, this homespun race which is always held on Memorial Day has grown to over 3000 nation-wide participants who compete for prize money in the 10K, 5K, masters mile, and elite mile events. There is also a Fun Run/Health Walk for children and walkers. The Henry H. Kessler Foundation Wheelchair 10K was introduced in 2001 with an outstanding field of about 25 athletes .
The evolution from hand-made bib numbers includes time clocks at every mile, Champion Chip scoring and online registration. Despite these state-of-the art devices, the event remains runner-friendly. It is truly a community-driven event. The North Jersey Masters Track and Field Club, started by the d’Elias’ in 1976, are the organizers of the race.
Ramsey Volvo is our platinum sponsor. The Ridgewood YMCA is the perfect sponsor for the Fun Run/Health Walk and the Valley Health System is the proud sponsor of the Elite and Masters Mile races. All sponsors have a very strong commitment to the community. Please contact info@njmasters.com if you would like to know more about our sponsorship opportunities.
Proceeds of the Ridgewood Run provide donations to support local charities and organizations. Main beneficiaries in past races were the Special Olympics New Jersey, the Ridgewood YMCA, the Kessler Foundation, the Village of Ridgewood Parks and Recreation, Social Service Association, College Club. Assistance is also give to other local charitable organizations and scholarship recipients.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- 7:00AM: Registration & Bib Pick Up Opens
- 8:15AM: Wheelchair 10K Start
- 8:20AM: 10K Race Start
- 10:15AM: 5K Race Start
- 11:15AM: Elite Master & Open Mile; Open Mile to immediately follow Elite Mile heats
- QUALIFYING TIMES: Masters Women 6:30, Open Women 5:30
- 11:40AM: Masters Men’s Elite Mile; Open Men’s Elite Mile immediately to follow.
- QUALIFYING TIMES: Masters Men 5:30, Open Men 4:40
- 12:00PM: Fun Run Mile
COURSE MAP
ALL RACES START / END AT VETERAN’S FIELD, RIDGEWOOD NJ
USATF COURSE CERTIFICATION
1 Mile Course Map – Click here
We hope all the pot holes will be filled. We don’t need to sprain a ankle.