Starting Point 5K and 1-Mile Walk

The Starting Point of New Jersey 5K and 1-Mile Walk returns on November 1st at Cooper River Park in Camden County, New Jersey, a powerful community event centered on hope, healing, and resilience.

This annual gathering brings people together for a cause that touches us all. Whether you’re running in honor of a loved one, walking your own path, or showing up to champion mental wellness and recovery, every step helps break stigma and build connection.

Proceeds directly benefit Starting Point, a nonprofit offering access to counseling, addiction recovery, support groups, and wellness services, because no one should face life’s challenges alone.

Awards will be given to the top three male and female runners overall (by gun time) and age group awards will be given to the top three male and female in each of the following age groups (by net time): 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34,  35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70 and over.

The chip will be timed on a USATF-certified course. There will be a finish line video, and all finishers will receive an e-text message within seconds of finishing, demonstrating their time and pace. Results will be posted at the race site and online the same day, along with an overall listing of finishers and award winners.

We will also be honoring two amazing community members, Anne Donnelly and Sean Kelly. 

Anne Donnelly has dedicated her career to public service, first as a firefighter and EMT, and now as a police officer with the Haddonfield Police Department for the past eight years. A lifelong athlete and youth jiu jitsu coach, Anne uses fitness, especially running and weightlifting, as a grounding force during life’s stressful moments. She completed her first 5K at age 11 and has since found movement to be one of her greatest sources of healing.

Anne’s unique role in her community allows her to support young people both on the mat and through moments of crisis. Her leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment to emotional and physical wellness are exactly why Starting Point is proud to honor her at this year’s 5K.

Sean Kelly has spent his life in service, as a firefighter, EMT, 9-1-1 dispatcher, and deputy emergency management coordinator. His public safety career began as a volunteer and evolved into decades of leadership across multiple roles. Alongside his dedication to the community, Sean found a passion for running and fitness, which played a vital role in his recovery after a heart attack in 2019 at age 44. Since then, he’s completed some Broad Street Runs and 5Ks.

His strength, humility, and continued advocacy for wellness make him a powerful example of resilience in action. We are honored to recognize Sean at this year’s 5K for his lifelong commitment to helping others and for showing us what it means to rise, adapt, and keep moving forward.

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Bib packet pickups will be at the Haddonfield Running Company on 121 Kings Hwy E, Haddonfield, NJ on 

Thursday, Oct 30th, 3:00-7:00 PM

Sponsorship information is available here.

Chip Timing is provided by South Jersey Race Timing LLC.