By Amy Batista, Special Writer
EAST WINDSOR – Local residents will be running full speed ahead into the holiday season this Sunday during the 7th annual Jingle All The Way 3K.
“I decided that it would be a healthy, fun way to support a great organization right here in our backyard and to ring in the holiday,” said Wendy Reiss, team captain of the East Windsor Misfit Toys in an email Sunday. “We are a great community with close ties.”
The festive run on Dec. 6 will bring hundreds of runners walkers, and joggers from around the area to support more than 25,000 Special Olympic New Jersey athletes throughout the state, according to the Special Olympics of New Jersey website.
Jinglers (runners) are encouraged to wear their ugliest sweater.
The event will be held at the Special Olympics New Jersey Sports Complex at 1 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way in Lawrenceville. The Jingle Jog 1K, 3K Road Race and 3K Fun Run will start at 10:30 a.m. and another 3K Road Race and 3K Fun Run/Walk at 4:30 p.m. followed by the awards presentation afterwards.
The race will start and finish at the Special Olympics New Jersey Sports Complex. The course route loops around Princess Road and then back to the Sports Complex.
The cost is $30 to register and $15 for children 10 years and under and includes an event t-shirt and post-run festivities.
Special Olympics New Jersey is a not-for-profit organization that provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Our 25,000 athletes enjoy camaraderie and gain a sense of pride and accomplishment through participating in our events, according to its website.
Ms. Reiss said that many shared her excitement about the event and joined the East Windsor Misfit Toys team, which will be returning for the third time in the event. A few team members did it run it the year prior to the team forming.
“A few of us, three of us, here in our neighborhood decided to do the run four years ago,” she said.
She said that one of the group members had been volunteering at Special Olympic events with his family in the past and they thought it sounded like a lot of fun as well as a great way to get some exercise in during the cold.
“Once we did the run, we realized what a great time it would be for family and friends to join in next year and ring in the holiday season for a great cause,” she said.
She said that they came up with a fun name East Windsor Misfit Toys and had a great time not only registering themselves but their kids too.
“The event is not only a wonderful run or walk but also included a great DJ and food, all donated, after the race,” she said.
Everyone warms up, dances, enjoys a snack, and each other, she added.
“This is our third year as a strong team,” she said, adding they have approximately 113 members and about 25 or so families, with more it seems joining this week.
“That is a lot of great East Windsor/Hightstown residents and their families,” she said. “What a great community we have that supports each other and comes out in full force for this event. It is wonderful to do this all together. Every year we have new families and members.”
“We love this event, since having fun as a family along with the community is doing something that is good for the heart and soul,” said Gillian Roth of East Windsor, whose family has participated in the run for three years.
Ms. Reiss is the team leader and organizer.
“I am the one that gets everyone rallied each year,” she said. “I start sending out emails around Halloween time to get everyone to save the date and we just go from there. “
She said she creates a team on the special page SONJ sets up for this event where you can track the progress of members and all the other information for the event.
“Each year there is a mascot reindeer that ends up donning new apparel and this year the reindeer theme is ugly sweater and will be on all our t-shirts,” she said. “Team members can raise more money to earn hats, sweatshirts, etc.”
She said that she ends up adding some fun accessories such as jingle bells, tattoos, etc. and encourage everyone to “deck out” in their best holiday spirit.
For Ms. Reiss, it’s the highlight of her family’s holiday every year.
“The majority of us do the evening session,” she said. “Where else can you go to a great holiday party to have fun, get exercise, and support a great cause all at the same time?”
Her son, Brendan Reiss, 12, of East Windsor said he likes to run. “I also like supporting people and this is a fun way to do it,” he said.
Lauren Reiss, 10, of East Windsor said that it’s fun to do this with friends and they have fun.
Ms. Reiss said that the team has raised $3,500 to this point.
“We have surpassed our amount last year by more than $500 so far,” she said. “I believe right now the EW Misfit Toys team is still in first out of 31 teams for this event. Let’s hope we stay in first but there are many good strong teams that sign up and join in the fun.”
