By Brian LaMuraglia
Girl power will be on display this Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at Lewis Morris Park in Morris Township.
The second annual Girls Guts Glory event starts at 8 am. It’s a pair of two-mile runs, sandwiched around a 10-mile mountain bike ride, to raise money and awareness for the Mental Health Association of Morris County.
“I think Morris County has a wonderful mental health association that goes unrecognized. All of us have some link through family or friends to people who have mental health challenges,” said event founder and fitness guru Rod Murray.
“Rod came to us and said, ‘Hey, I want to host this event and give you the proceeds. I’ll do it myself,'” said Barb Flynn from the mental health association. “It’s a stand-alone event that he does, he gets volunteers, he gets everything set up and gets the word out about mental illness.”
The course is tough, with hilly trails. Check out these maps for a preview of what’s ahead.
Murray, owner of Morristown’s body4life studio, started Girls Guts Glory last year.
Although there are prizes for top finishers, the event is more about participation than competition, said Murray, 57.
He has streamlined a few things from last year, and hopes to exceed the $2,000 raised for the mental health association in the event’s inaugural year.
Forty gutsy girls are signed up, ranging in age from 13 to60-plus, with more expected to register over the weekend.
Pre-registration on the Girls Guts Glory homepage is $70. Add $10 for day-of signups. All participants will receive a T-shirt and registration packet.
Murray also has written a book, Dynamic Flexibility: A Guide to Foundational Fitness. Drawing on his training as a Corpsman in the Navy and Marine Corps, he emphasizes exercises for mobility and an active lifestyle over weights and machine workouts.
Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.
