Running has always been a centerpiece of 76-year old John Kuhi’s (Oakhurst, NJ) life. While his two battles with cancer were road bumps, the disease could not knock out the former New Jersey track star, who also served as the Track and Cross Country coach for Monmouth University back in the 1980’s (when it was Monmouth College).
Two years after beating his 2nd bout of cancer, John currently runs on a daily basis, and his son Erik (Farmingdale, NJ), an RWJBarnabas Health employee, is also an avid runner. On Saturday, November 2nd, John and Erik ran side by side in the RWJBarnabasHealth Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk, a philanthropic event that serves to benefit patients like John who rely on medical experts/facilities for their health care needs.
John started running track in 1962 at Lakewood HS, and in 1963 he was the Shore Conference and Central Jersey track Champion in the 880.
He has endured two bouts with cancer over the last 30 years, as he was first diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma that was treated with chemo at RWJBarnabas Health’s Monmouth Medical Center. Then, two years ago, John was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Thanks to the advancements in treatment at Monmouth Medical Center’s Radiation Oncology Department, and his world class support team, John is back on the running trails.
The father/son tandem were joined by more than 2,000 runners and walkers and 200+ volunteers in the 3rd Annual RWJBarnabas Health Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk on Saturday, November 2nd at the South Mountain Recreation Complex in West Orange, NJ. John and Erik had the opportunity to spend time with former New Jersey Devils’ Stanley Cup Champions Grant Marshall & Colin White before traversing the picturesque course.
In addition to John edging Erik by a split second, a highlight of race day was the first-ever Battle of the New Jersey Mascots, featuring an obstacle course race that kicked off the festivities. NJ Devil and a line-up of popular mascots, Lakewood BlueClaws (Buster); Rutgers University (Scarlet Knight); Somerset Patriots (Sparkee); Princeton University (Tiger); Trenton Thunder (Boomer); Monmouth University (Shadow); Seton Hall University (Pirate) and Myrtle the Turtle from Turtle Back Zoo battled for NJ Mascot bragging rights prior to the start of the 5K. NJ captured the inaugural trophy.
This annual event supports the commitment of both RWJBarnabas Health and the New Jersey Devils to build healthier communities by promoting healthy, active lifestyles and world-class healthcare. This year, the charitable event raised $125,000 to benefit programs and services of RWJBarnabas Health and its local facilities.
For race results and additional information about the 2019 RWJBarnabas Health Running with the Devils 5K Run & Walk visit rwjbh.org/runningwiththedevils.