Brooklyn, NY – JRunners/Our Place 5K Run Exceeds Fundraising Goals [video]

Brooklyn, NY – Hundreds of people showed up at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Sunday morning to cheer on over 400 runners at a unique event that was as much about physical fitness as it was about tzedaka.

The three mile race/walk held to benefit Our Place, the financially troubled Brooklyn institution that has helped thousands of troubled teens since its inception thirteen years ago, was staged by JRunners, which in a short period of time has brought physical fitness to the forefront in the Jewish community with carefully planned events that combine the thrill of competitive running with the immeasurable satisfaction of raising money for a good cause.

Each runner committed to raising a minimum of $180 for Our Place and not only did JRunners meet their goal of raising $75,000 for Our Place, they are well on their way to meeting a newly heightened goal of $85,000.

Sunday’s race, with separate events for both men and women, drew participants from all across the spectrum including 88 year old Avraham Silverman, a World War II veteran whose leg was recently amputated, completing the race in a wheelchair pushed by his grandson Aron Greenstein, who credits Our Place with saving his life.

Some participants looked nothing like the prototypical runner, such as Sam, a 500 lb. Our Place regular who vowed to finish the race even if it took the entire day, Rabbi Glanz, completing his run in a suit and black hat and mothers in sheitels pushing strollers. The winner of the men’s race was 34 year old Mordechai Ovitz with a finish time of 22:16, while Dina Nierenberg of Brooklyn took the women’s race at 27:25. Runners ranged in age from 14 to 88.

“It was such an honor for JRunners to be able to play a part in raising money for Our Place, an organization that benefits not just troubled teens but each and every one of us,” said JRunners president and co-founder Steven Friedman. “This race was a top notch event for both the runners and the spectators and everyone involved had an amazing time. JRunners looks forward to creating additional exciting events such as this so that we can continue to benefit worthy causes like Our Place while promoting health and fitness within the Jewish community.”

Yossi Yurowitz, a dedicated Our Place volunteer thanked VIN News in an interview for its unwavering support during this trying time.

“There is no question that Vos Iz Neias has been a leader in the community’s support of Our Place, displaying our banner on the site and constantly keeping Our Place in the public eye. The race was a huge success but we are not out of the woods yet and we thank VIN News for their immeasurable assistance in our joint mission of helping troubled teens.”