This Valentine’s Day in Hoboken was truly a matter of the heart. Almost 300 runners embraced the first “Hoboken on Hudson Hot Chocolate 5K” sponsored by Delta Tau Delta and Phi Sigma Sigma from Stevens Institute of Technology to benefit The Shana Foundation. The Shana Foundation was pleased to help make this Valentine’s Day start with a healthy heart and a new found awareness of their mission to keep kids free of bacterial meningitis.
Runners were treated to a majestic waterfront run victoriously finishing under the Castle Arches on the Steven’s campus. All runners were then invited into the architectural masterpiece Babbio Center, to enjoy hot chocolate, marshmallows, whipped cream and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole grain bread. Ceramic mugs imprinted with the event logo and music CD’s of running music courtesy of Kunduru Music were gifted in goody bags by Fleet Feet Sports, Hoboken.
This years male winner, Karl Paranya had an astonishing finish of 15:38. Both he and female winner Maria Pavkavitch won a free nights’ stay at the fashionable W Hotel Hoboken, compliments of the W Hotel and Residences of Hoboken. Bentley Motors, Parsippany, gifted a weekend driving a luxurious Bentley for the top NJ runner, Tomo Imamichi, in the over 30 category. Fitness Judge.com, Hoboken personal trainers, donated three personal training sessions each to the top three Hoboken residents under 30. Fleet Feet Sports, a great Hoboken running store on Washington Street, totally stepped up and donated gift certificates to the top male and female racers in each age category.
Results can be viewed www.raceforum.com/shana. The after party was jumping all afternoon at Mikie Squared, Washington Street.
Bobby Steinhauser , race director and member of Delta Tau Delta, and Leah Wasserman, vice –president of The Shana Foundation and a member of Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, organized committees and volunteer support, served as liaison with sponsors, Hoboken City Hall and Hoboken Police, Stevens administration and the Stevens police. Their committee heads included strong leadership and support from Andrew Dolny-Race Course, Ben Scatuorchio-Volunteer Stations, Matt Johannes-Registration.
Doug Rice, Race Coordinator, Split Second Racing, was flawless at race course organization, utilizing a unique chip timing system, and pre-registration by RaceForum.com. Doug recruited great runners for the race as evidenced by the 15:38 finish and the number of participants.
Founder and Director Madeline Wasserman, recently lauded by the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly for her work, lost her daughter from complications in the treatment of the disease and has honored Shana’s memory by campaigning for education of medical personnel, parents and students to recognize disease symptoms and learn about medical protocols for emergency treatment.
Recently, two treatment protocol plaques were hung at Meridian Health Hospital Emergency Rooms at Jersey Shore and K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital.
The foundation is now organizing a Team Shana to run in the New Jersey Marathon on May 2. The team will have its headquarters at Fleet Feet in Hoboken. Raymond Judge of FitnessJudge.com will head the team and coordinate free running/training sessions for members. Anyone interested in joining The Shana Team may contact The Shana Foundation for additional details, or go to its website www.TheShanaFoundation.org
5K race benefits Shana Foundation
