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Ed Espenshade Memorial 5k logo

Ed Espenshade Memorial 5k

Sat, Aug 22, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Location
Merchantville, NJ
5300 N Park Dr, 08109
Type
RUN
Official registration

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At a glance

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A memorial 5k honoring Ed Espenshade's inspiring journey of perseverance through health challenges, celebrating his impact on the South Jersey running scene.

  • Competitive
  • For a Cause

Join the inaugural Ed Espenshade Memorial 5k, a heartfelt event created to honor the enduring spirit of Ed Espenshade. Ed was a beloved figure in the South Jersey racing community, whose personal journey through significant health challenges inspired many. This race celebrates his athletic determination and his powerful message of hope, faith, and perseverance. Runners will receive a finisher medal and a T-shirt, with awards for overall and age group winners.

What to expect

  • Run a 5k honoring Ed Espenshade's legacy.
  • Receive a finisher medal and event T-shirt.
  • Compete for overall and age group awards.

Standout details

  • Honors Ed Espenshade's memory
  • Finisher medals
  • Overall and age group awards
  • Inspiring story of perseverance

Perks & features

  • Awards
  • Medal

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

The course

  • —
From the organizer

Join us for this new 5k to honor the memory of Ed Espenshade. Ed was an influential member of the South Jersey racing scene for many years.

Swag/Awards

T Shirt Finisher medals Overall and Age Group awards While growing up in Mount Holly, New Jersey, Ed Espenshade played catch with his dad, attended Phillies and Sixers games, and dreamed of being an athlete. But soon after he acquired a paper route as a twelfth birthday present, Ed was hit by a car while attempting to cross a road. After blood was drawn during an examination in the emergency room, Ed received shocking news: he had diabetes.

As his path took an unexpected turn, Ed describes how he became more determined than ever to pursue his athletic goals. After an unsuccessful attempt at soccer, Ed eventually found his home as a cross country runner in high school and college. It seemed that Ed was defying all odds as he continued to run hundreds of road races that included four marathons. But everything changed in 2003 when Ed found himself face down on the street during a training run and soon received another stunning diagnosis: he had a rare nonmalignant brain tumor. As he details his continuing journey with two serious health conditions, Ed shines a light on the importance of keeping hope, faith, and perseverance alive in the face of lifes greatest challenges.

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