Race and Charity Event May 12, 2019

SANDY HOOK – Run the Hook 5K/10K returns to one of the Jersey Shore’s most historic locations for a race to keep our oceans wild and pollution free. The race will take place on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at Sandy Hook National Park and will once again be 100% free of single-use plastics in keeping with their mission to increase awareness of reducing single-use plastic consumption. 

With an expected attendance of 2,000 participants, the race challenges runners and walkers of all abilities to complete a 5K or 10K course in support of local charity, Clean Ocean Action, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to restoring, improving, and protecting the water quality of New Jersey’s oceans. A portion of the proceeds from the race will go directly to the charity to support their work in the local community. The race also has several merchandise items for sale including hats, socks, and reusable water bottles that keep drinks cold for 24 hours so you can go plastic-free and stay hydrated on the go. 

Registration is now open with Early Bird tickets on sale now for a limited time only. Tickets for the race are expected to sell out in advance as they have done since the event’s inception in 2016. All runners will receive a t-shirt, commemorative finisher’s glass, closed scenic course in Sandy Hook National Park, chip timed results, and access to the after party with their registration. Runners also have the opportunity to raise additional funds through friends and family using CrowdRise, with 100% of these donations going directly to Clean Ocean Action.

Speaking about the event, race organizer Joey Garofalo of Shrewsbury noted, “Clean Ocean Action has made incredible progress on several fronts in the last year including fighting off oil drilling in the Atlantic, pushing for single-use plastic ordinances in local towns, and continuing to improve the water quality of the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers. I’m so happy to continue supporting their work with this race while increasing awareness for all of the work that still needs to be done at the local level. We hope families from all over the area come out for the 4th annual race to kick off the summer with us.”

Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action added, “Run the Hook has quickly become the healthy tradition for celebrating Mother’s Day and Mother Ocean. It’s a festive morning of family fun organized by the best professional events team, which also implements environmentally sustainable practices. Clean Ocean Action is so honored to be the beneficiary of this remarkable event and so grateful to the team. The support of Run the Hook’s participants helps us in the race to save the ocean.”