Annual 5K Race Part Of Long Valley First Aid Squad's Halloween Fun

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Long Valley residents are once again asked to run a 5K in support of the Long Valley First Aid Squad in preparation for Halloween, and attendees should be prepared to race for their life.

All attendees, including ghouls and ghosts, are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes for the run.

The fun run begins at 9 a.m. on Oct. 21 at a new location this year, Palmer Park, which is located at Bartley Road and Palmer Place.

All proceeds from the race go to the Long Valley First Aid Squad (LVFAS), which serves Washington Township and the surrounding towns.

For the past 60 years, Long Valley First Aid Squad has provided all-volunteer service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its volunteers provide emergency medical care as well as automotive and technical rescue.

The cash raised will be utilized mostly for equipment and training.

Dogs are permitted to participate in the fun run but must be kept on a leash at all times.

The 5k event will be structured as follows:

• Registration: 8:30 a.m.
• Runners Start Time: 9 a.m.
• Walkers Start Time: 9:15 a.m.

Those who purchased a ticket prior to Sept. 20 received a free LVFAS 5K T-shirt; however, you can purchase one of the event t-shirts between 5 and 9 p.m. on Oct. 18 and Oct. 20 at Station 1, located at 70 East Mill Road Long Valley.

To register for the fun run, click here.

Last year, the course was held at Flocktown Kossmann School and throughout the Nestlingwood neighborhood. According to Hope Gough, organizer and squad member, the course was changed in response to feedback from runners in the hopes of making the route more stroller-friendly.

Individuals of all ages came out to run and walk during the 2022 race, with two young runners finishing first and second in the community race: Ben Girardy, first, and Josh Nelson, second.

"Not only do events like this bring together our squad, but allow us to connect with the community that we serve in a non-emergency context," Gough said.