SaxBST Employee Sets Sights on New Personal Best at This Year's 4 Miler at Garret Mountain

Sept. 6 Race Event to Benefit Child Life Department of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital. End Quote

Bergen-Passaic, NJ (1888PressRelease) July 01, 2014 - Ermal Luzaj was not an experienced runner when he entered SaxBST's inaugural 4 Miler at Garret Mountain in 2012, but an unwavering persistence and never-give-up attitude successfully carried him all the way to the finish line. As a participant in this year's 4 Miler race event, the SaxBST partner hopes to improve upon his running performance while raising valuable funds for St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's Child Life Department.

Hosted by SaxBST, the third-annual 4 Miler at Garret Mountain will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Garret Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park, New Jersey. One of the tri-state area's most scenic and challenging race events, the 4 Miler is open to runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels.

A Morris Plains resident, Luzaj is a member of SaxBST's Construction and Financial Service Industry groups. "When the 4 Miler was first announced back in 2012, it created some good-natured competition between many of my co-workers, and different race teams began forming within our firm," he said. "Although I wasn't an experienced runner, when a few of my colleagues challenged me to run I decided to participate."

Last year, Luzaj was a member of SaxBST's winning team of runners. "Beyond building camaraderie and team spirit, the 4 Miler truly is a wonderful atmosphere in which friends, colleagues, family members and business associates can all come together to support a great cause. It's been extremely gratifying to be a part of something that's so much bigger than myself."

In preparation for this year's race, Luzaj has incorporated running into his weekly workout routine. "I want to try and improve my time by about four minutes every year. I accomplished that goal last year and this year I am hoping to finish even faster, by at least four or five minutes," he said.

Founded by one of SaxBST's predecessor firms, Sax Macy Fromm & Co. (SMF), the 4 Miler raised about $43,000 in 2012 for St. Joseph's Children's Hospital's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department. In 2013, participation grew to more than 400 runners and walkers, and 40 business and individual sponsors, raising $62,000 for the hospital's Child Life Department.

"I have been involved since the first 4 Miler and it's been wonderful to see the event grow each year," said Luzaj. "The enthusiasm of the participants and sense of achievement at the end of the race are what makes this event truly special. Whether you are walking, running or volunteering, there's a real sense of community surrounding the 4 Miler. It's a great feeling to know we are making a difference in the lives of so many local families."

Family-Friendly Race Event

This year's 4 Miler will feature a 4-mile run on a scenic USA Track and Field Certified (USATF) double-loop race course as well as a 1.5-mile trail walk. Kids' dashes, with distances ranging from 25 to 200 yards, will be held for youngsters ages 2 to 11. Race day entertainment includes a DJ, random prize drawings, a variety of children's activities and post-race refreshments. Custom technical t-shirts will be provided to participants while supplies last. Garret Mountain Reservation, a 568-acre landmark overlooking Route 80 in Woodland Park, is located at 288 Rifle Camp Road.

SaxBST once again will be absorbing all expenses associated with the 4 Miler in order to donate 100 percent of the proceeds raised through sponsors directly to St. Joseph's Child Life Department. The department is a crucial resource in helping to relieve the stress and anxiety of pediatric patients during hospitalizations, ambulatory procedures and medication treatments.

A variety of sponsorship levels are available this year. These include Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium and Presenting levels, starting at $700. All sponsorship packages feature a wide range of benefits, such as complimentary race entries and a host of marketing/branding opportunities.

This year's 4 Miler also is introducing a "Corporate Challenge" category, designed to promote friendly competition among companies large and small. Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams as well as the title of fittest corporation. Those interested in sponsorship or the Corporate Challenge can contact Danielle Atkinson at datkinson ( @ ) saxbst dot com or (973) 472-6250 for more information dot

One of the top 100 accounting firms nationally, SaxBST is a multi-disciplinary accounting, tax and advisory firm serving the needs of closely held companies, family-owned businesses, not-for-profit entities and high-net-worth individuals throughout the New York tri-state area. Based in Albany, N.Y.; Clifton, N.J.; Mineola, N.Y. and New York City, SaxBST is the outgrowth of a merger between two of the area's most prominent accounting firms, Sax Macy Fromm & Co., PC (SMF) and Bollam, Sheedy, Torani & Co. LLP (BST). SaxBST's expertise covers a range of industry areas and niches including real estate, construction, manufacturing and distribution, employee benefits, retail, financial services, healthcare, professional services, not-for-profit, governmental entities and labor unions.

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