If you’re planning on a New Year’s Day run to start 2021 you might have to do it solo

Nearly 1,000 runners crammed into a Westfield park last year for a New Year’s Day race underway since the early 1980s.

It should be much quieter Friday in Tamaques Park. To no one’s surprise, the Hangover 5K — that’s five kilometers, or 3.1 miles — has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ordinarily, race director Tom Henry would arrive three hours before the 12 p.m. start, make any last-minute course changes and oversee the distribution of hoodie sweatshirts — they’re especially popular — to runners.

This January 1, Henry said he is planning to go for a resolution run from his home, pushing his dog in a baby stroller for companionship.

He’s already looking ahead to 2022.

“We’ll be back next year, if we can just get through this and stay positive,” Henry said.

COVID-19 has upended just about every traditional New Year’s celebration in New Jersey, from First Night celebrations to polar plunges on the Jersey Shore, and running events are no exception. While the Westfield race is canceled, a few others are attempting to carry on as virtual events, in which participants typically run the same distance but at a time and socially-distanced location of their choosing.

One example is in Hillsborough, where the Virtual 2021 Resolution Run and Walk 5K is moving forward. The $37 entry fee goes toward the high school’s Project Graduation combating teen drinking and driving, and a community-based program aiding those with Parkinson’s Disease.

The start of the New Year’s Day 5K race in Hillsborough, January 1, 2020Photo courtesy of Courtney Newman

Courtney Newman, the race director, said 310 had signed up as of Dec. 22. Entries have been capped at 350 due to processing delays stemming from the pandemic, she said.

“Everything from ordering racing swag to shipping times,” Newman said of the slowdown.

Runners will be getting hoodies and racing bibs, though this year all will have the same number — 2021 — and include uplifting messages.

It will be the 20th year for the Hillsborough race.

“We live in a good community that continues to support it,” said Newman, who is planning to run with her husband, Michael, and their 12-year-old son, Jacob.

Another virtual race is in Fair Lawn, where the New Year’s Day 5K had 471 finishers last Jan. 1. The top female finisher, and second overall, was Roberta Groner — who, just two months later, competed for a spot on the U.S. Olympics marathon team.

Groner is not taking part in any races, virtual or otherwise, in Fair Lawn or anywhere else on New Year’s Day.

“This year I will obviously be running but just for fun, celebrate the New Year and look forward to staying healthy,” Groner said.

Henry said it would have been the 39th running of the Hangover 5K in Westfield, which is organized by the Central Jersey Road Runners Club.

In explaining the appeal of New Year’s Day races, Henry said some runners eat too much in December, and perhaps drink too much on New Year’s Eve, and use racing on Jan. 1 as sort of a resolution.

For one prominent New Jersey running couple, it will be a much simpler New Year’s Day than a year ago.

Mark and Diane Washburne flew to Florida last year and took part in a Miami Beach group run with Robert “The Raven” Kraft, in honor of Kraft’s 45-year daily running streak. Mark Washburne is president of the U.S. Running Streak Association and has a 31-year streak.

On New Year’s Day, he and Diane — whose streak is approaching the 2-year mark — will both go for a run, but just from their home in Mendham.

Ordinarily, they would join in a race.

“We don’t really have anything planned. I can’t remember the last time we didn’t,” Washburne said.

Henry said he would encourage runners displaced from their usual races to find a way to get moving Friday.

“Just go out and run,” he said.

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Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com.

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