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New Hope Run Club Continues Charitable Mission with a New Focus on Local Businesses

The New Hope Run Club will continue to raise awareness for Rare Disease Day this month, but like most events of the past year, things are going to look different. 

The group will host their 3rd annual Zebra 5K Run/Walk which highlights the New Hope-based charity, Avery’s Hope that provides financial assistance to rare GI disease patients and their families.

Avery’s Hope partners with the New Hope Run Club each year to financially support families whose children face GI complications from their rare cancers at St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

This year, however, the run club will also seek to aid local businesses that supported the event in the past. 

How it works

There are several different registration options. For local runners and walkers, registration for the race will be free in 2021. However, the run club is encouraging people to donate what they are able to. Participants can choose from a list of local businesses who sponsored past races, like John and Peter’s or many of the fitness clubs who had to shut doors in 2020. According to the registration website:

1/2 the money will BUY gift cards FROM the business – these gift cards become the raffle prizes available to ALL Participants. 1/2 the money will go to our rare disease familiesAll registrants will receive a New Hope Run Club gaiter. It’s as unique an approach as the families we raise money for.

There are three race course 5K options:

  1. A virtual 5K whenever and wherever. Results should be posted to the run club’s Facebook page or emailed. Racers should complete their course by Feb. 28, national Rare Disease Day.
  2. Join the run club on Feb. 23, during their usual Tuesday night gathering at 7 p.m. outside of Triumph Brewing Company of New Hope. 
  3. Do a staggered race on Saturday morning outside of Triumph. There will be 25 runners per half hour which will feature staggered starts under Pennsylvania COVID-19 guidelines. Time slots are from 8 – 11 a.m. and will be selected by the participant(s) via email once registration is complete.

The virtual 5K option for people outside of the local area has a $39 fee to participate. Registrants will receive a New Hope Run Club gaiter.

According to New Hope Run Club founding member, Tom Corrigan, a goal is to have a runner/ walker in every state as well as many other countries. 

“This year is different but that does not mean we cannot have an impact. We are all in this together. Rare families like my brother’s still need us. We also benefit by having our local businesses viable to support our events in future years,” Corrigan said.

The registration link can be found here. Bib and raffle prize pickup is being finalized; details will be emailed to entrants. 

About the author

Steve Chernoski

Steve Chernoski is a writer, film director and teacher who lives in Lambertville. Here's his website: http://stevechernoski.com.

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