Eating, drinking and running, all in one place
Run for Pizza 4-Mile Extravaganza set for tonight in Woodbridge
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
If free pizza and beer interests you, then you might make it a point to be in Woodbridge tonight for the town's inaugural Run for Pizza 4-Mile Extravaganza.

Organized by Rob DeFilippis, the fourmile race is set to start on Main Street in Woodbridge at 7:30 p.m. A late registration of $25 is permitted until 7:20.

"Night races have been successful in other areas, and we're trying to provide something a little different with a 4-mile race," DeFilippis said. "You can pretty much find a 5K or a 5-miler every weekend, but a 4-mile race might be appealing for runners looking for something a little different."

The pizza and beer is probably another incentive to attract runners looking for something to supplement the complimentary T-shirt most races offer.

DeFilippis, the owner of Runner's High stores in both Jersey City and Metuchen, has been organizing the Crossroads 5K and 10K races also held in Woodbridge. The Crossroads event has been running for 10 years on the Sunday before Labor Day.

"I've learned that daytime races don't draw great numbers in Middlesex County," DeFilippis said. "Hopefully, a night race will be a greater attraction, and the race is something that can become an annual event."

DeFilippis, a graduate of St. Joseph High School in Metuchen and the University of Maryland, got the running bug early in life and never let go. After successful running careers at both the high school and college level, DeFilippis came back to Middlesex County to open Runner's High 10 years ago. In addition to operating two stores, DeFilippis coaches cross country at Red Bank Catholic High School.

At the start of this week, the Run for Pizza 4-Mile Extravaganza had over 200 registrants. DeFilippis is hoping to have close to 500 at the starting line tonight.

"That would be a great turnout for a first-year race," DeFilippis said. "We're approaching 300 and still hoping for more."

In addition to the pizza and beer offered to all finishers, the race will give runners the opportunity to win prizes from local businesses. Of course, finishers will also receive race T-shirts and a race bag with various novelty items.

Registrants can also perform community service, because some of the race proceeds will be donated to the Woodbridge Mayor's Council for Physical Fitness.

"The Mayor's Council does a lot of different things for the community," DeFilippis said. "They help fund organizations and provide assistance at the high school and for the younger athletes."

Unlike the Crossroads 5K and 10K races, the Run for Pizza will avoid hilly terrain. Instead, the course will bring runners along the waterfront area of town before ending up back on Main Street.