Want to block traffic for a good cause this Sunday?
Sign up for the AmeriHealth Ben Franklin Bridge Challenge and run or walk across the bridge, which spans the Delaware River. The event benefits the Larc School - a special education school in South Jersey for students with moderate to severe disabilities.
The race marks the one day each year that the bridge is closed to traffic. Over 2,000 runners have signed up so far and it is expected that close to 3,000 will participate.
In its fifth year, the Bridge Challenge has attracted top-flight runners from the area. It consists of a 10-kilometer run or a 2-mile walk that starts on the New Jersey side of the Ben Franklin Bridge and crosses the bridge before turning back to continue along the Camden water front.
On the day of the event, it will cost $35 to register for the walk and $25 for the run.
All proceeds go directly to the Larc School, which offers programs at no cost for students ages 3 to 21 and will be used to purchase technology that allows disabled students to operate computers by speech.
The school also plans on building a sensory garden to stimulate the students' senses through sight, smell and touch.
"Thanks to the community's support of events like this one, Larc can continue to provide each and every individual opportunities for growth, development and, most important, independence," said Susan Weiner, executive director of the Larc School.
AmeriHealth, a prominent health-insurance company, has sponsored the race for four years, along with other organizations, and has worked with the community to increase participation in the event.
"In terms of a 10k race, it's one of the largest races in the nation," said Jim Rhodes, a representative at AmeriHealth who is also on the board of directors at the Larc School. "It's really grown over the years and become a community activity."
Registration for the race starts at 6:15 a.m. at Rutgers University Student Center in Camden, and the actual race begins at 8:30 a.m.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top five overall male and female finishers.
More information about the race and how to register can be found at runthebridge.org.
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