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| South Jersey Running: Two Olympians to chair and compete in Bancroft NeuroHealth 5K Race Todd Williams, Mark Croghan coming to March 20 event Race named 5K championship for Mid-Atlantic USATF Monday, February 23, 2004 By Paul Healy HADDONFIELD, N.J. - Two former Olympians and another world-class athlete will join hundreds of regional runners here for the 23rd Annual Bancroft NeuroHealth 5K Race. The event, along scenic Kings Highway, starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 20. Todd Williams, a two-time Olympian in the 10,000 meter event, and Mark Croghan, a three-time Olympian in the Steeplechase, have been named honorary co-chairs for the event. Also, Tim Broe, who finished fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials, will serve as an honorary co-chair. In addition, the Mid-Atlantic Association of USA Track & Field (USATF) has designated the race its 5K championship on its 2004 Grand Prix Circuit. The event will also serve as the Mid-Atlantic women's qualifier for the USATF national 5K championships. Williams, who retired from competitive running last year and has participated in the events surrounding the Bancroft Race the last two years, looks forward to participating again this year. "It's one of the best 5K races around with a local, small town feel to it," says Williams. "Besides the running aspect, it's great to be able to support Bancroft NeuroHealth and its mission of hope for individuals with disabilities." The race is the first big event of the running season in South Jersey. Proceeds from the event will benefit Bancroft programs and services for people with developmental disabilities, brain injuries and other neurological impairments. Following the race, Williams, Croghan and Broe will also appear at the Haddonfield Running Co. store at 144 Kings Highway East in Haddonfield to talk with local runners. Last year, more than 700 people participated in the day's activities, which include the 5K race and a fun walk. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at Bancroft's school building on Hopkins Lane near Kings Highway. The cost to enter is $20 for entries submitted before March 13 and $25 for those who register on race day. Those who raise $30 in race sponsorships can run for free. Registration for the fun walk is $10, and free with $20 in sponsorships. In addition, families with three or more people will pay no more than $45. All entrants will receive a race T-shirt and have the chance to win prizes. The top male and female finishers in the 5K race will earn $200. Second-place finishers will receive $100 and third-place finishers will take home $50. Also, the top three male and female finishers in each of 12 age categories will receive awards, as will the top three male and female finishers in the fun walk. Awards also will be given out to Haddonfield residents, people served by Bancroft and Bancroft staff members. For more information, call the race hotline at 1-800-966-0096, or visit www.bancroftneurohealth.org, where you can download a copy of the race application. Sponsors of the race include Haddonfield Running Co., adidas, Comcast, Cintas, GMAC, Majaq Logo Products and Manhattan Bagels. Other organizations lending support to the race include the Haddonfield Police Department, as well as Bancroft's "Partners for Success," which includes Commerce; Costanza Builders Inc.; Wawa; Printing and Promotions; Archer and Greiner; Holman Enterprises; USI MidAtlantic; and Voorhees Pediatric Health System. Founded in 1883, Bancroft NeuroHealth annually serves more than 1,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities, brain injuries and other neurological impairments. Based in Haddonfield, N.J., Bancroft has sites in Camden, Burlington, Gloucester and Salem counties in New Jersey, and in Delaware, Maine and Louisiana. Programs include education, rehabilitation, and vocational, residential, evaluation and treatment services. |
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