May 11, 2015
RUNNING WITH THE BALLOONS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 5K RACES IN USA READINGTON, NJ — The “Advil® Running with the Balloons” 5K race at the QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning has been named one of the Top 10 5K races in the United States according to The Active Times. The annual race through the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America was cited for its competitive field, fast course, scenic setting, charitable support and providing the unique experience of racing during one of the festival’s early morning mass hot air balloon ascensions. And this is one race that gets off to an explosive start: instead of firing a starting pistol, female human cannonball Jennifer “The Cannon Lady” Smith will be shot out of a 27-foot-long cannon to start the race. Sponsored by Advil®, a leading provider of pain and allergy relief, this year’s sixth annual “Advil® Running with the Balloons 5K Cross-Road Challenge and Fun Run” take place Sunday, July 26. Propel Electrolyte Water also returns as race sponsor. Combining the elements of cross-country with a traditional road race, the flat, fast, low-impact USATF-NJ certified course features a mix of surfaces including grass, pavement, gravel and dirt road. Runners race past the balloon launch field while Sunday morning’s mass hot air balloon ascension takes place, and finishes in the heart of the Festival. The top male finisher and the top female finisher will each win a free ride in a hot air balloon. The top three overall male and female finishes receive non-cash prizes. “We strive to make our festival experience a memorable one and we’re thrilled to have the Advil Running with the Balloons 5K recognized as one of the top 10 races in the country,” said Festival Executive Producer Howard Freeman. “Advil is a natural partner for our Health & Wellness day activities with the race, Family Fun Run, sunrise yoga, Zumba and jazzercise workouts.” Race registration includes an all-day pass into the Festival with access to the early morning and evening hot air balloon ascensions, free parking and lawn seating to Sunday afternoon’s Wheels of Soul 2015 Summer Tour concert featuring the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and Doyle Bramhall II. Race time is 8:00 a.m. followed by the Family Fun Run at 9:00 a.m. Corporate team entries are permitted. In keeping with the Festival’s belief in “doing well by doing good,” a portion of the proceeds benefit the Center for Educational Advancement (CEA) for people with special needs in Flemington and the Children’s Miracle Network. The 33rd annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning in Association with PNC Bank, July 24-25-26 at Solberg Airport in Readington, NJ, features twice a day mass ascensions of more than 100 sport and special shaped hot air balloons from around the world, live concerts, and 39 hours of family entertainment and attractions. To register or learn more visit www.balloonfestival.com/entertainment/5k. ###
MEDIA CONTACT: Russ Mensch Mensch & Company, Inc. Public Relations & Event Marketing 201-797-2448[email protected]