Registration is now open for the Sterbenz “Miles of Smiles,” a 5K run and 1K walk/roll/stroll to benefit Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Inc. The event, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Saturday, October 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at Warren Community College, 475 Route 57, Washington, NJ.

There’s no cost to participate, and registration is available at abilities.salsalabs.org/sterbenz2023. Participant sponsorship is encouraged, and anyone wishing to donate can do so by clicking on the link. This year, the goal is to raise $20,000.

Check-in time is 9 a.m. for all participants, with a start time of 9:30 a.m. for the 1K walk/roll/stroll and 10 a.m. for the 5K run.

This year, for the first time since the event began, the 5k run will be a timed event on a certified course. But everyone is invited – including friendly, four-legged participants – either as an individual or as part of a team. Because the event is taking place close to Halloween, participants are encouraged to wear costumes.

Paul and James Sterbenz

The Sterbenz Run for Abilities was created by Paul and James Sterbenz in 2020 to replace running events that were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to raise needed funds for Abilities. The “Sterbenz Miles of Smiles” was created in 2022 and expanded to include participants of all abilities.

Following the event will be a brief award ceremony to which all participants are invited. Among the awards that will be presented are “Best Costume” and “Best Effort.”