PHCS Presents a Full Morning of Fitness, Featuring Runners, Walkers and Kids Marathoners
Approximately 150 young runners, ranging from preschool to junior high, finished a 1.2-mile Fun Run on Saturday, September 10, that served as the final leg of the 8th annual Princeton HealthCare System (PHCS) Kids Marathon.
Participants were able to register solely for the run, but most of the finishers were wrapping up the Kids Marathon, which began in July. The marathoners ran, walked or rolled a total 25 miles on their own over 10 weeks leading up to September 10.
The 1.2 miles that they completed Saturday rounded out the full 26.2-mile distance of a marathon.
The Kids Marathon was initiated in 2009 as a way to help young people incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. Proceeds from the event will benefit PHCS programs to promote wellness and prevent obesity and chronic disease in children.
The Fun Run concluded a full morning of fitness hosted by PHCS and Princeton Fitness & Wellness Center on the grounds of Educational Testing Service (ETS) in Princeton.
The day's events began at 8 a.m., when more than 130 runners took part in PHCS' 3rd annual 5 Mile Race, a USA Track & Field (USATF) certified course, sanctioned event and Grand Prix event.
For the second consecutive year, Stephen Mennitt, 27, of North Brunswick and Atilla Sabahoglu, 38, of Manville were the top two finishers. Mennitt completed the five miles in 28:13, a pace of 5:39 per mile, while Sabahoglu finished in 28:25.
Michael Anis, 35, of North Brunswick placed third among the men with a time of 30:02.
Greta Sieve, 28, of Lawrence Township was the top female finisher with a time of 31:57, or a pace of 6:24 per mile.
Erika Meling, 27, of North Brunswick—the top female finisher last year—took second place among the women, completing the five miles in 32:15. Susan Kinsella, 52, of Millington placed third for the second year in a row, clocking in at 36:11.
Congratulations to all of our runners, who ranged in age from 11 to 86. For complete results, click here.
After the race, PHCS hosted a 1 Mile Fun Walk, followed by a brunch reunion for patients of the Jim Craigie Center for Joint Replacement at University Medical Center of Princeton (UMCP), a specialized unit that has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for both hip and knee replacement procedures. Many former patients who had undergone knee or hip replacements participated in the Fun Walk.
Proceeds from the 5 Mile Race/1 Mile Fun Walk will benefit the Jim Craigie Center.
View photos and videos from Saturday's events at www.facebook.com/princetonhealth.
About Princeton HealthCare System
Princeton HealthCare System is a comprehensive, integrated healthcare system that strives to anticipate and serve the lifelong needs of central New Jersey residents, including acute care hospital services through University Medical Center of Princeton, behavioral healthcare through Princeton House Behavioral Health, rehabilitation, home care, hospice care, ambulatory surgery, a primary and specialty medical practice, and fitness and wellness services. For more information, visit www.princetonhcs.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Andy Williams, 609-252-8785
anwilliams@princetonhcs.org
