With more than 100 youngsters signed up for the Blue Jay 5K, you might say that Jan Caputo got what she wanted.
Caputo, the race director for Saturday’s Blue Jay 5K Race/Walk at Turkey Swamp Park, was looking for the race to get more people, especially youngsters, to participate in physical activities such as running and walking.
“What I was striving for was getting new runners involved,” she said. “Whole families have registered.”
More than 200 people have already registered for Saturday’s race in Turkey Swamp Park, Georgia Road, Freehold Township, a sure sign that many have gotten her message. The race, which is managed by the Freehold Area Running Club, will go off at 10 a.m. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.
“I want this race to be a celebration of health and fitness for the whole community,” said Caputo, a sixth-grade language arts teacher and cross country coach at the Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School. “I want to change people’s perceptions that a road race is only for a few elite athletes.
“What I love about racing is that you get on the starting line with people of every age and level of fitness, and you never knowwho is going to beat who,” she added.
Along with encouraging physical fitness, the Blue Jay 5K is a fundraiser for the Barkalow School.
The Turkey Swamp Park layout is a scenic, flat course inside the county park.
Caputo pointed out that the race has been a team effort. The race T-shirts were designed by Barkalow students. Sixthgrader Brianna Hellrigel designed the logo and seventh-grader Jessica Martin created the slogan.
In addition to the Freehold Area Running Club, the race brought together Barkalow’s PTO, the race committee made up of teachers and parents, a student race committee, physical education teachers, local businesses, the county park rangers and the Freehold Recreation Department.
“It’s amazing how many people have been helpful and supportive,” she said.
For addition information on the Blue Jay 5K or for an application, go to http://cliftonbarkalow.freeholdtwp.nj.k12u s.com/JCaputo.