Hillsborough runner loses pounds, gains donations in 5K fundraiser – My Central Jersey

As the RWJBarnabas Health Running with the Devils 5K Run and Walk nears the finish line, Jeff Olanoff appears to be among the charity event’s biggest winners and biggest losers.

The 37-year-old Hillsborough resident, who has dropped more than 85 pounds since taking up running earlier this year, is also among the top individual fundraisers for the nearly month-long virtual event.

All proceeds from the run and walk, which commenced Oct. 1 and concludes Sunday, benefit RWJBarnabas Health’s Emergency Response Fund.

The fund provides the necessary resources to help treat the most critical patients, ensures the safety of all caregivers, frontline workers and staff, and manages ongoing preparation to protect surrounding communities for any potential resurgence of the virus or other emergencies.

The race and walk celebrates the heroic efforts of frontline workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Olanoff epitomizes the true spirit of the event, in which the New Jersey Devils and RWJBarnabas Health collaborate to build healthier communities by promoting active lifestyles.

A self-described “die-hard” Devils fan who learned about the 5K while following the NHL team’s official Twitter account, Olanoff commenced a dramatic lifestyle change in January, which included healthy eating and daily workouts at the gym.

After Gov. Phil Murphy ordered all gyms closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, Olanoff took his workout routine to the streets of his Hillsborough neighborhood, where he started running for the first time ever.

“When I started running before this (charity event),” Olanoff said, “I’d run maybe over a mile and couldn’t move for the rest of the day.”

Months later, Olanoff is running three-plus miles daily at nine-minute-mile clips, and still has plenty of energy afterwards to chase after his 5-year-old son.

“The whole thing has been fun,” Olanoff said. “I’ve never done anything like this. Never any kind of competitive running. Never a charity event like this. I didn’t realize how into it I would get. I’ve been checking the (fundraising) page multiple times a day.”

Olanoff said he was the event’s top individual fundraiser until earlier this week, adding “it felt like a gut punch when I got knocked out of first place.”

In an appeal on his fundraising page, Olanoff wrote, “Please help me support the efforts of the 35,000 healthcare workers of RWJBarnabas Health and the countless community heroes who have gone above and beyond the call of duty during this unprecedented global health crisis by making a donation through my page.”

Event organizers offer fundraising incentives for individuals and teams based on benchmarks of $100, $250, $500 and $1000. Incentives include signed New Jersey Devils merchandise and a virtual video conference with current players and/or alumni.

Travis Zajac captains a team of New Jersey Devils which includes Will Butcher, Kyle Palmieri, Connor Carrick, Mirco Mueller and Damon Severson. Ken Daneyko captains a team of New Jersey Devils alumni that features Bruce Driver, Grant Marshall, Bryce Salvador and Colin White.

The RWJBarnabas Health Running with the Devils 5K Run and Walk allows registered participants to run as many times as they wish from Oct. 1 through Oct. 25 using the RunGo App to track their routes and times.

Participants can run or walk in their neighborhood, at a local park in their community or even on a treadmill.

Based on any of three themes – Running with the Devils, Running with Animals and Running with Our Heroes – runners and walkers can listen to audio messages of encouragement throughout their trek from New Jersey Devils players and frontline heroes, or learn all about the animals at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo.

Since registering Sept. 19, Olanoff has run a 5K daily, logging more than 100 miles. With just a couple of more days to go, Olanoff said he is looking forward to the home stretch.

“I’m a little sore,” Olanoff reluctantly admitted. “Sunday is the deadline. I’m going to run in the morning and then I’m sleeping in Monday. I need to give my legs a rest.”

Olanoff said he is honored to be able to fundraise for RWJBarnabas Health’s Emergency Response Fund.

He has raised more than $1,700 to date. The funds will help RWJBarnabas Health address growing needs that are arising as a result of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis and will be used to support comprehensive emergency care efforts.

Participants are allowed to select which RWJBarnabas Health affiliate benefits from their registration and fundraising efforts.

Registration remains open and participants can race or walk as often as they wish until Sunday’s deadline.

Participants can submit their times via the RunGo App. Awards will be presented to the Top 3 male, Top 3 female and Top 3 runners in each age category.

All paid entries receive access to a custom training program with videos from RWJBarnabas Health wellness experts including strength, agility and conditioning tips. Additionally, participants have access to nutrition tips from RWJBH dieticians and wellness experts.

Registration for runners 12-and-older is $25. Registration for walkers 12-and-older is $20. Children 11 and under are free.

For more information about the event or to register, visit rwjbh.org/runningwiththedevils

Email: gtufaro@gannettnj.com