Rotary 8K Training Helps with Community House Campaign

There’s less than four months left before the 28th annual Scott Coffee Moorestown Rotary 8K on June 2.

Haven’t laced up your running shoes in a while? According to Colleen Tindall of , there’s still time to get yourself ready for the nearly 5-mile dash through downtown Moorestown.

Moorestown Running Company will be offering a training program open to all ages and fitness levels. The program will include a weekly training schedule, group training and runs throughout each week, and clinics including core strength building.

“The biggest thing people need to get used to is the running,” said Tindall, who will be running the training program. “You could have never run a step in your life or you could be a really good runner and still do it. We want participants to feel comfortable coming in here and we want them to feel very welcome no matter what level they are.”

“It’s a great run—big town event,” said Bill Van Fossen, organizer of the Rotary race. , with Tindall actually finishing first among all women.

Van Fossen has been involved with the race since the beginning and believes the plays an important part in not only the race, but also the Moorestown community.

“The Community House has always been the start and finish for the runs,” he said. “For me, I kind of have a soft spot for the Community House.”

Tindall agrees. She grew up in Moorestown and moved back to raise her two children in her hometown where she has fond memories of swimming in the Moorestown Community House pool.

“I think that it is just priceless and invaluable to the community,” she said of the 86-year-old landmark.

That’s why the Moorestown Running Company will be giving a portion of the proceeds from the training program to the .

Bill Newborg, executive director for the Community House, said he was "really, really tickled and appreciative" the organizers of the race and staff at the Running Company were being so generous. 

He said the capital campaign has raised $350,000 thus far. Their goal is to raise at least $1 million. 

"It certainly doesn't exceed our expectations (of where we thought we'd be)," said Newborg. "We'd like more. But it's a good start."

The training program costs $200 per individual and includes race registration fees. Participants will also receive 20 percent off shoes and apparel at Moorestown Running Company during the program.

Runners may also choose to raise $500 for the Community House Capital Campaign. The fundraising option will include enrollment in the training program and free entry to the race.

For more information on joining the training program, call the Moorestown Running Company at 856-234-9371 or email colleen@runningco.com. You can also register online. The kickoff group run will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 24. 

To find out more about the Community House and the capital campaign, visit www.thecommunityhouse.com or call 856-235-0326.