Next year, if you’re considering running a race, the Haddonfield Snowflake 5K Run should be at the top of your list. Runners come not only for the natural endorphins but also for the thoughtful details, festive excitement, and to support an important cause.
December 6th marked the Seventh Annual Certified Haddonfield Snowflake Run, hosted by Haddonfield Fortnightly, a women’s civic and social club organization in Haddonfield, with all proceeds benefiting Jackson’s Wish, a teen suicide prevention organization.
Kim Otto, chairman of the Haddon Fortnightly’s Evening Membership Division, explained why the organization chose Jackson’s Wish as their nonprofit partner. “As we emerged from the pandemic, we noticed the social and mental health impact of students being isolated, which led to increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation,” she said.“For the past three years, that has been our focus on education and teen suicide prevention. We take that commitment very seriously.”
Alongside its important charitable mission, the race also stands out for its runner-focused touches. Pat Barnes, Chairman of Haddonfield Snowflake Run, has exceptional promotional, marketing, and production skills. Barnes has learned from her daughter’s perspective as a runner what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to organizing a memorable and successful event.
Everyone knows what a 5k run is like, Barnes said. “You walk up, there’s a table, you get a shirt, and leave. We’re trying to make this a good runner experience. One year we created a runner’s bag. A lot of companies give us things for the bag, and every year we add to it. They get a bag, a medal, and a long-sleeve tech shirt,” Barnes said.
“The highlight of this year’s run was that it began to snow and the atmosphere was simply magical,” said Kim Otto, chairman of the Haddon Fortnightly’s evening membership division. Proceeds of the Haddonfield Snowflake Run benefitted Jackson’s Wish, a teen suicide prevention organization.
“Pat does a fantastic job with branding,” said Otto. “I want to humbly brag we are the runners’ favorite race in the area. That has a lot to do with the swag bags with merchandise as well as the baked cookies, prizes, and costume contests.”
Anna Fineberg, a clinical psychologist, who took part in the Snowflake 5K for the third time, said that it’s a well-organized race with a well-marked course and that there is a spirit of positive energy that surrounds the event. She added it was a great run from a runner’s perspective and that the event supports a cause she believes in as a mental health provider. Registration is also seamless, she said.
Some of the past sponsors involved have been Sunoco, George Warren, EPC, Wells Fargo Advisers, Porsche Cherry Hill, Subaru Cherry Hill, Avalon Flooring, and more.
The Haddonfield Fortnightly group truly makes this race come to life. “It’s just myself and the Haddonfield Snowflake Run Committee,” Barnes said. Leading up to the race, she added, “My committee is fantastic. We meet 2–3 times a year. We have an event called ‘Pack and Play’ and pack 600 merchandise bags.”
“Most are excited about the stuffed animals given by Petco in the bags,” Otto said, adding that a lot of children were at the race this year.
The Fortnightly now has a drone video to help capture footage of the race for future marketing efforts.
The Snowflake 5k is fun for runners and spectators alike. They have an official starter that they wave. The Haddonfield Snowflake Run Committee makes cookies from scratch. They also offer complimentary donuts, gatorade, hot chocolate, pretzels, and coffee that is sponsored by Starbucks. Other highlights include a costume contest with lots of prizes.
This year, they had the Phanatic. They always have Santa and the Snowman at the race. Mayor Dave Sidell dressed as the 2025 Snowman. “People loved it and we’re also very excited to see the Phanatic,” shared Otto.
If that’s not enough pizazz, the finish line is a decadent big balloon arch. Runners also receive a medal as they come through the finish line.
“It’s an experience,” Barnes said.
With participants ranging in age from 9–70 and coming from five different states, the event’s reach is impressive. Last year, Barnes noted, they had 542 registered participants, and this year there were 617.
Fineberg spoke to her experience participating as a runner this year, saying that she ran competitively growing up and was getting back into competitive running after having two kids.”This is the first 5k I’ve run since, and I finished eighth place for women overall,” she said. Fineberg had participated in the Snowflake Run twice before, but this was her first time as a competitor. She expressed joy in “being able to show my kids their mom is an athlete and can compete,” adding that her husband and kids were at the race to cheer her on.
Otto noted, “In the past couple of years there have been a few runners who have specifically said they came out to support the run because they’ve suffered from a mental illness or horribly lost someone due to suicide. I believe the mission we’re sticking with has magnified the community. If we’ve helped one person we’ve done our job.”
“It’s really important for Haddonfield Fortnightly to be involved in other nonprofits in the area and partner with them so we can enhance our impact across the region,” Otto said.
This year, the Snowflake Run was a resounding success. “We raised a lot of money for youth suicide prevention efforts in the community,” Otto said. “The highlight of this year’s run was that it began to snow and the atmosphere was simply magical.”
