“He’s a guardian angel you need, more than you know you need.”
That sentiment overhead at the Daniel Anderl Love is Light 5K summed up the event: Anderl is now a guardian angel.
Salas’ husband, Mark Anderl, who is a criminal defense attorney, was seriously injured in the attack carried out by Roy Den Hollander, who targeted the family because of his disdain for Salas and her role as a federal judge, according to reports.
The Daniel Anderl Love is Light 5K was held July 17 at North Brunswick Community Park to mark the one-year anniversary of his death. But the event, though marked by a moment of silence and many tears, was more focused on prayers, community togetherness – and love.
Gov. Phil Murphy joined the runners, as a New Jersey State Police helicopter flew over the starting line.
“There is amazing love in the North Brunswick community,” Lou Ann Benson, director of the North Brunswick Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Services, said before hundreds of runners lined up to begin the race.
“The day was magical and reflective of the love that was shared by all who traveled so far in memory Daniel. Danny”s life will forever remain in our hearts,” Benson said.
Citing the Bible verse, “There is no greater love than this: that a person would lay down his life for the sake of his friends,” the Rev. Robert G. Lynam, pastor of St. Augustine of Canterbury Roman Catholic Church, Kendall Park, said the community “gathered here as one people” because “love is light.”
Bill Boyajian of BEST Racing Systems said 1,122 people signed up for the in-person 5K, while 112 signed up to participate virtually.
According to the mobile check-in app, 705 checked in on race day to run the 5K, though it is believed the number is much higher, he said.
According to race results, 724 people finished the 5K. The standings are listed on the results tab at https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/NorthBrunswickCommunityParkNorthBrunswick/InauguralDanielLoveisLight5K
The event benefited the St. Joseph High School Daniel Anderl ’18 Memorial Scholarship Fund. Anderl graduated from the Metuchen private school in 2018.
The church bells were set to ring from 5-6 p.m. July 17 in Anderl’s honor.
An investigation into the murder has shown Hollander was targeting a dozen other female judges, including U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
For more information about the Love is Light 5K, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/NJ/NorthBrunswickCommunityParkNorthBrunswick/InauguralDanielLoveisLight5K
Or, to donate to the scholarship fund, visit https://alumni.stjoes.org/g/daniel-anderl-18-memorial-fund
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected]