OCEAN CITY, N.J. (October 23, 2019) – More than 300 participants helped raise over $36,000 Sunday in the 9th annual John R. Elliott HERO Walk & 5K Run on the Ocean City Boardwalk. They also took the HERO Pledge to be and to use designated drivers. Proceeds from the event benefitted the HERO Campaign and its mission to prevent drunk driving by making the use of designated drivers be as automatic as wearing a seatbelt.

HERO initiatives include school and college education programs, the HERO Pledge online designated driver registration, the HERO Safe Ride program in partnership with area bars and taverns, and police patrol cars wrapped with the Campaign’s reminder: Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.

“We want to thank everyone for making the HERO Walk and Run a success, and reminding us all that we can end drunk driving by being and having designated drivers,” said Bill Elliott, campaign chairman and co-founder with his wife Muriel.

The HERO Campaign is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of safe and sober designated drivers to prevent drunk driving tragedies in memory of all victims of DUI, including Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed in a collision with a drunk driver in July 2000.

The 5K run began at 9:30 a.m., followed with the walkers’ march at 11 a.m. Both started from the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center, located at 6th Street and the Boardwalk. Sponsors included AtlantiCare, Team Matt Uhl, ANA Towing, OceanFirst Bank, Iron Workers Local 399, Miss Night in Venice Pageant, Stockton University, Viking Yachts, Foster-Karney Foundation, Kindle Auto Plaza, Clear Channel Outdoor, Kramer Beverage, Tropicana Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Car Toyz, James Duffy Family, Jane French, Sharon Grunow and Dallas & Di Krapf.

Notable fundraisers and teams were thanked for their support of the event:
Top Overall Fundraising Team: Team Matt Uhl – Team Captains Al Uhl and Ashleigh Boyce
Top Overall New Team: Mike Sot – Team Captain Patrick Moore
Top Overall Individual Fundraiser: Al Uhl – Team Matt Uhl
Top Overall Individual Fundraiser New Team: Patrick Moore – Team Mike Sot
Top Community Fundraising Team: Team Shelby G. – The Gribbin Family
Outstanding Individual Fundraiser: Jana Fabio – Team Mike Sot
Outstanding Memory Teams: Ry Dog – Kim Schleyer; Moretti Eagles – Kathy Moretti; Team Kevin – Bill Ade

Additionally, the HERO Campaign thanks its event grand marshals:
5K Run – Al Uhl of Team Matt Uhl, and Patrick and Leanne Healey of Viking Yachts
Walk – Patrick and Valerie Aiken of ANA Towing

The winning participants in the run were:
Male: Nicholas Ferzetti, age 16 – Time 0:17:47 – 05:44 min/mile
Female: Sofia Petrov, age 12 – Time 0:20:59 06:46 min/mile

Click here to view photos from the event.