Mac Tort Racing has announced a partnership for this year’s Festival of the Sea 5K race with Manalapan-based JAR of Hope Foundation.
The race will take place at 8 a.m. Sept. 16 at the bandshell at Arnold Avenue and Baltimore Avenue in Point Pleasant.
JAR of Hope raises money to research a very rare, always-fatal disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – which strikes only children. JAR of Hope was founded by Manalapan residents Jim and Karen Raffone four years ago when their son, James Anthony, now 7, was diagnosed with Duchenne, according to a press release.
“When I met Jim Raffone,” said Race Director Jackie Catalano, “I was very touched by his determination to find a cure for this horrible disease that takes away our children. So when we decided to tie in this year’s race with a good cause, it wasn’t hard to find that cause.”
Mac Tort is contributing 10 percent of the proceeds from the race and has a page on its website (www.festivalofthesea5K.com) for contributions. People can also contribute at the race. Last year’s event had 175 runners. Catalano’s goal for this year is 250 runners and $5,000 for JAR of Hope.
The 5K kicks off the Festival of the Sea weekend, which last year drew more than 60,000 people, according to the press release.
“Just like the festival itself, the 5K is a family friendly event,” Catalano said. “And plenty of kids run in the race. This is a tremendous chance for local families to do good while having fun.”
Participants may register online, in advance, for a lower entry fee.
“I am fighting for my son’s life along with the lives of all the other children who have this killer disease. These kids deserve a chance to become adults,” Jim Raffone said.