Jersey Shore Relay Marathon, Asbury Park Half Marathon, and Jersey Shore 5K on April 16 will support the Jersey Shore Dream Center…
The Jersey Shore Dream Center, a non-profit organization that alleviates poverty, homelessness, and addiction in Asbury Park, is proud to announce that WoW Work Out World is sponsoring RunAPalooza, which incorporates three races on Saturday, April 16, 2016. These races, organized by the Jersey Shore Running Club, are the Jersey Shore Relay Marathon, Asbury Park Half Marathon, and Jersey Shore 5K.
The mission of the Jersey Shore Dream Center is to provide hope to the hopeless, food to the hungry, clothes to the needy, and freedom to those bound by addiction. Current programs in Asbury Park include “Adopt-a-Block,” a baby supplies pantry, and a mobile food truck. The Jersey Shore Dream Center also operates an Asbury Park residence for women who have struggled with abuse, addiction, and depression.
According to Mary Roma, founder of WoW Work Out World, “Some things are just meant to be. The opportunity for WoW Work Out World to sponsor RunAPalooza, the Jersey Shore’s premiere running event, is a natural fit, as WoW is New Jersey’s premiere chain of family owned and operated fitness clubs.
“The participants in these races,” Roma continues, “such as WoW members, Asbury Park, and Tillie (WoW’s lucky charm and mascot), represent what it means to be JERSEY STRONG. The fact that the WoW sponsorship benefits the Jersey Shore Dream Center makes it an extra-special event. We can’t wait for race day!”
The WoW Work Out World sponsorship will enable the Jersey Shore Dream Center to expand its residential program, according to Executive Director Isaac Friedel.
“At our first residence in Asbury Park,” Friedel details, “women ages 18 to 59 who have experienced drug and alcohol addiction, physical and emotional abuse, suicidal thoughts, and clinical depression participate in a 12-month community living program. A huge demand exists for this program, which incorporates counseling, employment, life skills training, room and board, and intensive support for women committed to building a life of sobriety and service. Thanks to WoW Work Out World, the Jersey Shore Dream Center can develop a second residence for women in crisis. And certainly, none of this would be possible without the Jersey Shore Running Club.”
Friedel notes that the Jersey Shore Running Club is a major supporter of the Jersey Shore Dream Center, as it essentially “adopted” the grassroots organization.
“RunAPalooza continues to benefit the Special Olympics of New Jersey, which provides tremendous resources to families across the state,” Friedel notes. “Additionally, since Asbury Park is home to RunAPalooza, the Jersey Shore Running Club decided to extend its generosity to a small non-profit that serves the local neighborhoods of Asbury Park, where the majority of residents struggle with extreme poverty.
“The Jersey Shore Dream Center is thrilled to be the local charity beneficiary of the Jersey Shore Running Club,” Friedel acknowledges. “As a formal recognition, we proudly have dedicated our women’s residence to the running club.”
Bob Both, race director for the Jersey Shore Running Club, notes, “In 2016, we are celebrating RunAPalooza’s 20th anniversary. The Jersey Shore Running Club is excited to welcome Wow Work Out World as the newest sponsor of RunAPalooza.”
The Jersey Shore Relay Marathon offers a unique, 26.2-mile, “point-to-point” route, from Seaside Heights in Ocean County to Asbury Park in Monmouth County. With more than 3,000 runners, the Jersey Shore Relay Marathon is one of the Top Ten Largest Relays at the Marathon Distance in the United States.
Approximately 2,000 runners participate in the Asbury Park Half Marathon, which has been designated as one of the 50 Best Half Marathons in the United States. Typically, more than 60 percent of half marathon finishers are women.
In order to expand the reach of RunAPalooza, the Jersey Shore Running Club added the 5K distance on the same day (Saturday, April 16) as the relay marathon and half marathon. The 5K is open to runners and walkers who begin and end the race on the Asbury Park Boardwalk.
Runners are encouraged to register for the RunAPalooza race of their choice and fundraise for the Jersey Shore Dream Center. Financial contributions of any amount are welcome, with every dollar benefitting local outreach programs in Asbury Park. For example, in addition to operating the women’s residence, the Jersey Shore Dream Center distributes groceries and supplies to approximately 1,000 people a week and impacts more than 40,000 individuals on a yearly basis.
To register for the Jersey Shore Relay Marathon, Asbury Park Half Marathon, or Jersey Shore 5K, please visit www.runapalooza.org. (Website designed by Innovative Marketing Solutions). The Jersey Shore Running Club will launch a training program on Saturday, January 2. Details can be found via the Jersey Shore Running Club’s Web Site, www.jsrc.org.
With many runners looking for indoor alternatives to running and training outdoors as the winter approaches, WoW Work Out World has a special incentive in place through the end of the year to help runners train indoors. New members can get started for a $0 enrollment fee through December 31, 2015.
The Wall-based WoW Work Out World operates 12 locations in East Brunswick, Freehold, Manalapan, Marlboro, Menlo Park Mall, Middletown, North Brunswick, Ocean, Red Bank, Robbinsville, Tinton Falls, and Wall. For more information, please visit WoW Work Out World at www.workoutworld.com.
The Jersey Shore Dream Center “finds a need and fills it,” in order to uplift individuals past their hurt, addictions, and obstacles so they may achieve their dreams. For details, please visit www.jerseyshoredreamcenter.org or call 877-391-JSCD (5732).
