Woodbridge Crossroads of New Jersey 5K will benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation

All proceeds from the 27th annual Woodbridge Crossroads of New Jersey 5K will benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.

Since its inception seven years ago, the foundation has donated more than $350,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and other children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The race, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Sept. 1, starts and ends in Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park and runs on a USA Track & Field certified course along the scenic waterfront of the township’s Sewaren section.

Registration is being conducted online at bit.ly/4dcYHqZ and on the day of the race with check in at 8 a.m. The entry fee is $25 and all who register online before Aug. 28 are guaranteed a free race T-shirt.

"Every year, the Annual Crossroads of New Jersey 5K race exemplifies our commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and community spirit in Woodbridge Township,” said Mayor John E. McCormac. “This year we are especially proud to donate all proceeds to The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, supporting a cause that assists so many children in need in our community and throughout Middlesex County. Organized through the Mayor's Wellness Campaign and our dedicated Recreation Department, this race offers participants the chance to enjoy the beautiful Sewaren waterfront while contributing to a meaningful cause. Join us for one of the best 5K races around!"

In addition to the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, other race sponsors include Wegmans, The Club at Woodbridge, and The Woodbridge Community Center.

Awards will be presented to the top overall male and female runners, to the top three male and female performers in a dozen age groups ranging from 12-and-under to 80-and over, and to the top boys and girls finishers from Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) cross country and track and field programs.

The Joseph A. Ward Memorial Trophy – named after the founder of the Woodbridge Crossroads 5K – will be presented to the top male and female runners who are township residents.

Jim Gano of Crown Trophy in Flemington is donating Marisa Tufaro Memorial plaques to be awarded to the top boys and girls runners from GMC high schools, who can register for the race at a discounted rate of $15 at bit.ly/4dcYHqZ .

“I know runners from Woodbridge and some of the other high schools across the Greater Middlesex Conference have participated in this event in years past,” said Frank Noppenberger, the conference’s executive director. “It would be wonderful to see more student-athletes get involved, helping a great cause, building camaraderie with fellow competitors, and using the race as a tune up for the upcoming cross country season. Everything Woodbridge does is first class and the township is to be commended for making countless programs and events like this available to residents year-round. I think the young runners would enjoy participating in the race.”

All race participants will receive a complementary wristband from The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which is eternally grateful for the outstanding support it has received from the entire Woodbridge community.

Woodbridge has hosted charity all-star football and basketball games and a charity bowling tournament benefiting the nonprofit. Countless student-athletes and coaches from the township’s three high schools have participated in fundraising events and drives for the foundation.

The nonprofit, which also makes community service an integral part of its mission, has spearheaded multiple initiatives, resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

The foundation has awarded 42 college academic scholarships totaling $33,000 to high school seniors – 13 of whom are graduates of Woodbridge Township high schools – and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy honored The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in 2023 with its prestigious Barnes Community Champion Award, while Hands of Hope for the Community earlier this year recognized the nonprofit for its “dedicated efforts in fostering positive change within the community” as the honoree of its annual fundraiser.

Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 at the age of 13 to a rare form of cancer following a valiant battle.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa Tufaro was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities. She lived a vibrant life that inspired.

“We’ve been blessed beyond words with amazing support from so many people, including the Woodbridge community,” said Marisa’s mother, Cyndi Tufaro, who is the foundation’s executive director.

“We don’t take a second donated or a penny raised for granted. The kindness and generosity of Woodbridge residents has been extraordinary. We can’t thank township officials and race organizers enough for adopting The Marisa Tufaro Foundation as their beneficiary.

“We hope the benevolence of the entire Woodbridge community is exponentially returned.”

For more information about the race, contact the Woodbridge Department of Recreation at 732-596-4048.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Woodbridge Crossroads of New Jersey 5K will benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation