Team SBH’s Escape The Jungle event took place on Sunday Aug, 13 and was filled with many activities for all ages to partake in throughout the day. A 5K walk or run for all ages called Fast and Furious was held while a Diaper Dash for little crawlers and a Cub Run for toddlers went on as well.

Everyone who attended the event wore bright yellow shirts boasting the colorful event logo with binoculars hanging around their necks as well. All participants raced to the finish line to collect their medals and trophies.

Community spirit was at an all time high as husbands and wives completed the run with their babies in strollers and their kids by their side. It was an amazing day for participants and volunteers alike.

The event was hosted at the Azrak residence in Deal NJ, and was dedicated in loving memory of Diane Azrak A”H. The races helped raise funds for the SBH Born Ready program which provides essentials to babies born in our community.

In the backyard of the Azrak home, breakfast was set up for the participants and onlookers. The selection ranged from cereal and milk to bagels and cream cheese, yogurt and granola, fresh fruit and more.

SBH also gave away nature related swag bags to get you in the jungle spirit which included stuffed animal tails you could clip on the back of your shirt. Some runners were even wrapped in plastic ivy! You could tell the organizers were very detail oriented and it made the event all the more fun. Each participant was given a metal and a small Escape the Jungle towel after crossing the finish line.

The diaper dash was a “ten foot waddle” for children to participate in and it turned out to be a very exciting race. The participants were all fitted with adorable yellow onesies with the diaper dash logo gleaming on their chests.

Each baby participating had about three to five family members and friends cheering them to waddle to the finish line. Parents waited eagerly by the finish line with rewards for their children to receive as motivation to complete the race. Although the waddle was not a very long distance, the race seemed to be too much for some babies who never crossed the starting line. All the while, it was pretty easy for others who darted towards the gold.

The Cub Run was a “25 yard dash” and used the same finish line as the Fast and Furious race. Toddlers ranging from one to two years old lined up to compete. Two beloved cartoon characters, cousins Dora and Diego, waited at the finish line for motivation, cheering on the little runners.

Yaacob (Cubby) Halawani showing off his winning trophy.

The whistle was blown and some children, like Yaacob Halawani (aka Cubby) charged to the finish line with his father Sonny Halawani running on the sidelines, watching his young son take the win.

Frieda Schweky

Frieda@sephardic.org

Frieda Schweky is Sephardic.Org's official community events reporter. For inquiries and to get involved with our site, please contact Frieda via email.