Roger S. Clark (center right)
More than 450 runners hit the pavement in Camden for the 2023 Rutgers Law Roger S. Clark APIL 5K Run for Justice. Rutgers Law students, faculty, staff, Students Run Philly Style, and other local runners took part in the event held on April 2. The race started and ended on a windy, sunny Sunday at the newly completed Camden Athletic Complex on the Rutgers University-Camden campus. Calder Burke won the race with a time of 16.00.7. Burke is a senior at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia.
All funds raised, approximately $10,000, will support Rutgers Law Camden students who work in unpaid summer public interest jobs through the Rutgers Association for Public Interest Law (APIL). Some of the organizations where APIL students work include South Jersey Legal Services, Legal Services of New Jersey, Community Legal Services of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Legal Assistance, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
The race is named after Roger S. Clark, Rutgers Law Professor Emeritus, in recognition of his commitment to international human rights and competitive running and his annual generosity to APIL. An internationally renowned human rights and criminal law scholar, Prof. Clark began running in 1954 as a high school student in New Zealand. He has since run in more than 50 countries.
“This is my 70th year of running competitively," said Professor Clark. "I am very honored to have this run named after me and for the enormous financial commitment that Bill McNichol made to get the Run Philadelphia contingent here.”
Students Run Philly Style pairs volunteer mentors with teams of students in grades 6-12 to complete a full or half marathon. The program fosters a positive, safe environment that improves mental health, develops leadership skills, and promotes self-confidence. The young runners from Students Run Philly Style were sponsored by Rutgers Law Adjunct Professor William McNichol, a former board member of the organization.
"I'm very happy to have seen two wonderful organizations - Rutgers Association for Public Interest Law and Students Run – together,” said Professor McNichol. “Both make our community a better place to live.”
Lauren Kobylarz, Executive Director of Students Run Philly Style, said, "We appreciate you making this possible for us -- this is the first step of many on the way to the Broad Street Run for our students, and for many, their first race ever. Thank you for the beautiful setting and for welcoming us with open arms."
Top finishers received award certificates and gift certificates to the Haddonfield Running Company, which sponsored the race. All runners received a t-shirt.
“It was such a pleasure and honor to help organize the Roger S. Clark APIL 5K!” said 2L Iain Saltzberg Pollard, APIL Vice President and 5K Chair. Seeing so many different people from all ages participate in this fundraising event for public interest law was wonderful!"