The New York Jets and Competitor Group Inc. today announced a new event for NFL fans to combine their love of running with their passion for the hometown team at the Jets Back to Football Run. The 2013 race is set to take place at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 7:30 a.m. Early registration pricing starts at $35 for the 5K and $15 for the Jets PLAY 60 Fun Run for kids.
Debuting the day before the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Jets Back to Football Run invites fans to share in the glory of the gridiron while supporting a healthy and active lifestyle by completing a 5K (3.1-mile) distance. Participants will have the unprecedented opportunity to finish their race on the 50-yard line at MetLife Stadium, the home of their beloved New York Jets.
"The return of football season in New York is truly a time of excitement and anticipation and this is a great event for fans to come together and celebrate their team in a positive and healthy way," said Jets senior vice president Marc Riccio. "We're proud to be part of a series of races that also supports the league's commitment to healthy families and our PLAY 60 initiative to combat childhood obesity."
The race is part of the NFL Back to Football Run Series, which features 5K and 10K races in partnership with the NFL. More than a dozen clubs are expected to hold races in their cities in 2013. A majority of the running events will take place in conjunction with the opening weekend of the NFL season and will include Fan Fests, autograph opportunities and NFL skill challenges at each location.
A post-race tailgate party with live entertainment will take place on the plaza of MetLife Stadium after the race. All participants will receive an official performance race T-shirt and race medal and will enjoy a morning full of festivities to kick off the 2013 Jets season. The event also includes a Jets PLAY 60 Fun Run for kids, which finishes on the field.
"We're thrilled to see this series grow and be embraced by more teams around the country as running continues to evolve and reach new participants," said event director Jamie Monroe. "The NFL Back to Football Run Series welcomes families and fans of all ages to enjoy a fun day of celebration, while also making the positive choice to get moving and have a healthy lifestyle."
Part of the proceeds from the Jets Back to Football Run will benefit the Alliance for Lupus Research, a national health organization dedicated to treating, preventing and curing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus), a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects as many as 1.5 million people in the United States. The organization was founded and is chaired by Robert Wood Johnson IV, a member of the founding family of Johnson & Johnson and owner of the New York Jets. Since its inception in 1999, the ALR has given more money to lupus research than any other non-governmental agency in the world. More information can be found at NFLRunSeries.com/Jets/charity.
Event registration is now available online. For more information and or to register for the event, visit NFLRunSeries.com.
