PARSIPPANY — On Sunday, April 15, Santiago Sports Chiropractic, will be running the Lincoln Tunnel Challenge 5K alongside patients, family members and friends to raise funds for the Special Olympics of New Jersey, a not-for-profit, 501c3 organization that provides sports training and athletic competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The USATF certified course takes runners and walkers through the Lincoln Tunnel, starting in Weehawken and back once they reach the NYC side.
This will be the 9th year Dr. Philip Santiago and his staff lace up their sneakers to help this charitable organization.
A wide range of participants will be joining the team this year from first-time 5K runners to elite and professional runners. Known locally for being experts in Sports Medicine, Santiago Chiropractic serves as Team Physician for runners from the Hoka New Jersey/New York Track Club. Representing both the practice and their track club, this year eyes will be on:
Johnny Gregorek: 10th in the World in the Mile, 2017 World Championship Finalist, 2016 Olympic Trials 6th Place Finalist and 2016 Indoor National Championship 1500M 5th place Finalist
Kyle Merber: 2018 4x800M World Record Holder and 2016 Olympic Trials Finalist (1500M) and 2016 4-Time 1 Mile World Record Holder
Chris Geisting: 2018 4x800M World Record Holder, 2016 World Indoor Gold Medalist (4x400M), 2016 Penn Relays USA v The World Champion (4x400M) and 5-Time NCAA All-American
Meron Simon: DMR NCAA All American and 3K Steeple All-American Honorable Mention
Kenyetta Iyevbele: 2017 US Nationals Qualifier in 800M, 2016 Olympic Trial Qualifier in 800M and 2015 US Nationals Semi-Finalist in 800M
Nicole Schappert Tully: 2015 USATF Outdoor Champion and 13th at 2015 IAAF World Championships
Waverly Neer: 4-Time All-American and 2015 5th Place Finisher in the NCAA 10K
Stephanie Van Pelt: 2016 NCAA Finalist and 6-Time School Record Holder at St. John’s University
Heather Wilson: 2016 Olympic Trials Qualifier 1500M, 60th U.S. Woman in History to Break 4:30 Mile and 4-Time USATF Outdoor Championship 1500M Qualifier
Stephanie Schappert: 2016 Olympic Trial 1500M Semi-Finalist and 2015 World University Games Team USA Member
According to Team Captain, Dr. Julie Scarano, “The Lincoln Tunnel Challenge has become a staple event for our practice. Over the last 9 years, it has been awesome to see our team evolve and grow. We have some participants who have been with us since the beginning, but we also get excited to have newcomers experience this unique 5k race with us too. This year we are extremely proud to round out our group with ten Olympic-level runners all in support of the Special Olympics and promoting healthy living through chiropractic care.”
No stranger to competition, Dr. Santiago, a former professional soccer player and US Olympic Team Medical Staff member, along with his team, will be looking to defend their title as four-time first place winners in the Co-Ed Team division.
If you are looking for a spring 5K, it is not too late to register and help make a difference for our local special needs youth and adults. You may sign up by clicking here, but today is the deadline!
