4 running, walking, and plunge events in Denville, New Jersey

Join us as we bring back our 5K St. Patrick's Day Run for the third time in memory of Coach Mike O'Brien on our USATF-Certified course (Course certification # is NJ24014JLW).

Mike O’Brien was a beloved cross-country and track coach at Morris Catholic for 25 years. Additionally, he started the original Morris Catholic St. Patrick’s day 5k back in 2012. He really enjoyed the MC 5K and seeing/catching up with all the alumni as well as local runners that came to run. We are so glad to be able to bring this race back again in his honor!

Get out into the fresh air and join us on Saturday March 14, 2026 at 9 am at Morris Catholic High School in Denville NJ. Note: we welcome seasoned runners and will award medals in multiple age groups, but no experience is necessary. If you are a novice runner or have not yet started running, consider trying this "couch potato to runner program: https://www.halhigdon.com/training-programs/5k-training/novice-5k/

Keep in mind that we have a limited number of dri-fit t-shirts that we will distribute to the first 250 runners to register. Don't miss out! Register early!!

The race proceeds will benefit the Morris Catholic High School scholarship and athletic programs as well as the Denville Public Assistance Fund!

Did you know that Morris Catholic is a co-educational college preparatory school in Northern NJ founded in 1957? Morris Catholic was designed to serve students in Morris County from a perspective of Catholic values. With an average enrollment under 500 students, Morris Catholic is considered to be the right size for a student who wants to find a community that is authentically caring and lands students in the best colleges in the country. One of Morris Catholic’s goals is to keep its tuition within reach of all families. Therefore, it relies on various fund raising activities such as this race, to enhance the students’ high school experience and to provide scholarships to those who require financial assistance.

As Morris Catholic is located in Denville, NJ, it is only fitting that the proceeds of the race are shared with the Denville Public Assistance Fund, to give back to this wonderful community!

A good run for a good cause? Let's do it!

May the luck of the Irish give us a sunny day; but the race runs on Rain or Shine!

Legend has it that before the time of Elizabeth Wetmore and John Cook, there was the Leprechaun of the Lake. The Leprechaun has only been seen during the 3rd week of March in the woods surrounding what is now known as Rock Ridge. He is known to carry a "Golden Shillelagh" which has only been seen by a few lucky Rock Ridge residents while they were running at high speeds in the woods now known as Muriel Hepner Park. Those residents were Dan Kane (the founder of the race)and the previous winners: Ariana Bauer, Brian Christ, Catherine Borkowski, Graydon Kolk(3x), Molly Gahagan, Bryan Coward, Austin Coward and Wylie Kolk (it's a family affair).

Come try and capture our modern day version of this Golden Shillelagh by competing in 5K race/walk. The winners names will be etched on the Golden Shillelagh which will be proudly displayed in the clubhouse for years to come.

Here is the path that that the Leprechaun of the Lake has taken and will serve as the course for this year's race https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1455609

If you cannot find the leprechaun or win The Golden Shillelagh, you can still reminisce about your efforts/tall tales over a pint or a root beer at the RRCC St. Patrick's Day Celebration. (ALL runners that sign up will receive a lucky medal). The signing and presentation of the Golden Shillelagh will occur each year at the RRCC St. Patrick's Day Celebration.

Be sure not to miss the 2026 Run for the Golden Shillelagh and the RRCC St. Patrick's Day Celebration. Slainte!

The 8th Annual Denville Polar Plunge will take place at Cooks Pond in Denville, NJ on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at NOON. All proceeds will benefit Denville S.P.A.R.K, a Denville-based non-profit organization that helps young adults with developmental challenges. To learn more about Denville S.P.A.R.K., please visit us at denvillespark.org

Get your Polar Plunge team together today and have friends and family donate to your fundraising page!!

Please join us for the 22nd Annual Ryan Steidl Memorial MK5K Run/Walk! We are excited to have you participate in the 22nd year anniversary of this race to support and remember Ryan, please join us and bring your friends! Looking to see all of the faces that have been there through the years! Race course will be the same as previous years.

All Registrants will receive a Race T-Shirt if you sign up for one before the deadline!! Race location is across from Saint Clare's Hospital in Denville at 25 Pocono Road.

Please read the story of Ryan below and why we honor him today while we are supporting our team and his scholarship fund.

RYAN STEIDL -AN IMPACTFUL LIFE

Ryan Steidl was a 2006 Morris Knolls High School graduate who never shied away from people; outgoing and always full of energy, he would gravitate to those who were shy and to those who needed help. Whether it was to introduce someone at a party or to help a young boy on the baseball field, Ryan had the ability to make others feel more confident and better about themselves. These were his gifts, and he loved using them.

Morris Knolls was a big turning point in Ryan’s life. Everyone knew that Ryan was a baseball player but head football coach Bill Regan noticed Ryan one day running in gym class. It was then that Coach Regan introduced him to Dr. Thalman the cross country and winter track coach. It was a match made in Heaven. Ryan went on to set school records in the 4x400, 800m, 4x200m, and the SMR. He loved Morris Knolls, the teachers, the kids, the atmosphere, and of course his baseball coach, Adam Bonfiglio.

As a senior at Morris Knolls he was the team’s pitching ace leading the Golden Eagles to the Morris County Semifinals and went the entire season without making an error on the mound or at first base. After high school he went on to play baseball at Georgia Southern University and William Patterson University and graduated with a degree in finance before settling into professional life here in Morris County.

Tragically, on March 17th, 2011 he was struck by a car while training to participate in the 7th annual MK5K. Ryan’s brother, Evan, was on the Morris Knolls baseball team in 2011, which dedicated its season and eventual State Sectional Title to fighting alongside Ryan as he pushed hard to heal from a traumatic brain injury. Sadly after a hard fought battle, Ryan passed away six months later from the injuries sustained during this accident.

As a tribute to Ryan and his great love of baseball and Morris Knolls the MK5K was renamed the Ryan Steidl Memorial MK5K as a way of both remembering his short but impactful life and to promote runner safety.