When several thousand runners take to the hills of north Somerset County in the May 18 Midland Run benefit for the Midland School, Hillsborough resident Mark Zamek will be watching closely.
Mr. Zamek has been the event’s race director since 1997, after working to help organize the run in 1996.
"I have a full-time job that pays the bills but I needed something else. Serving as race director for the Midland Run fulfills me in ways other aspects of my life cannot," Mr. Zamek said. "It’s wonderful to have this opportunity in my life. Another reason I serve is the great team that is such an integral part of the event. They are a phenomenal group of people to work with."
Mr. Zamek is also a former title winner in the 15K race, and worked with former race director Harry Brown. But when Mr. Brown asked Mr. Zamek if he would like to be the race’s director in 1995, he turned down the offer.
He had a family and young children and felt he didn’t have the time. Mr. Brown then asked him to visit the Midland School.
After visiting the school, Mr. Brown asked Mr. Zamek to think about his offer. He subsequently committed to serving as race director for one year that was nearly eight years ago.
The 26th Annual Volvo Midland Run "Spend a Day in the Country with Your Family" will start at 9 a.m., with events and entertainment until 4 p.m. at Moorland Farms on Route 202 in Far Hills. There are events for runners (a 15K race with an entry fee of $22, and a 5K $20), bicyclists (a $26 fee to race), a 2-mile fitness walk ( $10 fee). To register, check the race’s Web site, www.midlandrun.org. If you register on-line by May 11, 15K and 5K runners save $2 off their registration fee. Late on-line registration will be accepted May 12th through noon on May 16th. Entry fees for late on-line registration are $32.
The Midland School serves approximately 250 students from central and northern New Jersey, and is recognized as one of the nation’s leading schools for children with disabilities. In addition to a school building that is fully handicap accessible and designed for children with special needs, the campus includes athletic fields, a playground, a picnic area and swimming pool. There is a separate work center and facilities for teaching independent living skills. Midland’s basic academic curriculum meets all New Jersey core curriculum standards and includes reading, math, language skills, science and social studies.

