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FIFTH ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE DISTANCE RUN TO FEATURE 10K AND 5K RACES TO HONOR LOVED ONES WITH CANCER

On Sunday, September 29, 2013, Somerset Medical Center will host its fifth annual Steeplechase Distance Run over a scenic course in Hillsborough New Jersey.  Different from past years, the main distance run will be a 10K course. The event will also include a 5K Run/Walk, Kid Sprints, music, refreshments and more. The event is presented by Physicians for the Cure.

 

“Last year, more than 1,300 runners and walkers came together to compete in the Steeplechase Distance Run, raising more than $172,000 benefiting The Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center,” said Somerset Medical Center surgeon, Dr. Cynthia Lee, an avid runner who founded the event. “Throughout its four years, the event has raised more than $482,000 and was created in an effort to raise awareness of and enhance the cancer care services that The Steeplechase Cancer Center provides in our community. Each year we encourage all runners and the general public alike to come out together to honor their family and friends who have been affected by cancer, are still courageously fighting or who have tragically lost their battle to this terrible disease.” 

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In addition to Physicians for the Cure, event sponsors include Open Road Mercedes-Benz, Clayton Associates, Emergency Medical Associates, Comcast Spotlight, Open Road Volkswagen, Anesthesia Consultants of NJ, LLC, Financial Resources Federal Credit Union, Genentech, Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company and Lilly USA, LLC.

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The Steeplechase Distance Run begins and ends at Amsterdam Elementary School in Hillsborough. The 10K run includes a flat and rolling course running through the scenic neighborhoods and landscapes of Hillsborough. The run features start mats, mile clocks and energy stations and is considered a challenging test of speed and endurance. Individuals participating in the 5K Run/Walk will have the option of a two mile turn around offered for our Joint Celebration Group, as well as survivors participating in the walk/run, celebrating a milestone for many of our participants. Children age two to eleven are encouraged to participate in Kids’ Sprints, a 25-100 yard walk designed for children.  Each child will receive a ribbon for completing the walk.  All runs are USA Track and Field (USATF) certified.

 

“After we pulled a team of 40 people together for last year’s race, we are thrilled that Team Jonathan is working in partnership with the Somerset Medical Center Foundation this year,” said Dr. Delia Figueroa, who created Team Jonathan in honor of her son who passed away from cancer in 2011. Dr. Figueroa also works in Somerset Medical Center’s emergency department. “My husband and I will walk the 5K, but our family, friends, coworkers and even some of Jonathan’s fraternity brothers will be running the 10K with their Team Jonathan t-shirts on!”

 

Dr. Figueroa’s son, Jonathan, was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu at Stony Brook University. Inspiring his fraternity brothers to take part in the race, Jonathan is remembered as a ‘genius’ and ‘the kind of guy who was always supportive.’

 

Check-in and registration for the Steeplechase Distance Run/Walk will begin at 7:30 a.m.  The 10K race begins at 8:45 a.m. followed by the 5K race at 9:30 a.m. and the Kids’ Sprints at 10:30 a.m. An awards ceremony for the 10K race will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony for the 5K race at 10:45 a.m. Somerset Medical Center staff will be available to answer any questions regarding cancer detection and prevention, or about The Steeplechase Cancer Center.  The event will be held rain or shine.

 

Early registration for individuals is $27 for the 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk and $8 for the Kids’ Sprints, and ends on September 23.  After September 23, registration fees are $30 for the 10K Run and the 5K Run/Walk and $8 for the Kids’ Sprints.  Participants will receive a t-shirt and custom made goodie bag.

 

All proceeds from the event will benefit educational programs for patients and the community at The Steeplechase Cancer Center at Somerset Medical Center. The Steeplechase Cancer Center enables Central New Jersey cancer patients to see their doctors, undergo outpatient treatment and participate in promising cancer research studies – all in one place close to home. The three-story, 63,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2007, houses radiation therapy services, infusion therapy, breast imaging services, the medical center’s research team, oncologists’ and surgeons’ offices, nutritional counseling, patient navigator services, a patient resource library, the Sanofi US Wellness Boutique and complementary medicine services, such as yoga, t’ai chi, meditation and massage. The Sanofi US Breast Care Program is one of only a select few in New Jersey to achieve full accreditation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and has also been named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

 

To register for the Steeplechase Distance Run/Walk, visit http://www.steeplechasedistancerun.com.  For more information, call 908-685-2885 or email dcastronovo@somerset-healthcare.com.

 

About Somerset Medical Center

Somerset Medical Center is a nationally accredited, regional medical center providing comprehensive emergency, medical/surgical and rehabilitative services and a broad range of community programs to Central New Jersey residents.  It is nationally recognized as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence. The medical center is an affiliate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a clinical research affiliate of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.  For more information please visit www.somersetmedicalcenter.com.

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