Spring into fall with some running events
Go forward into fall with upcoming running events throughout the region
Summer is coming to an end which means running outdoors may become more appealing as temperatures drop.
Summer time is coming to an end which means running outdoors may become more appealing as temperatures drop and the air becomes less humid. With fall in close reach, there are several running events throughout the region including mud runs, zombie runs and events for four-legged friends.
Below is a sampling of upcoming running opportunities in Montgomery, Berks, Chester and Delaware Counties. To find even more runs in the area, visit runsignup.com/, www.pretzelcitysports.com/, and localraces.com.
Montgomery County
Sept. 8, 9th Annual H5K Charity Race & 1-Mile Walk/Fun Run in Blue Bell: Kids, strollers and leashed dogs are all welcomed to join this end-of-the-summer run. The race will begin at 9:30 a.m. from Montgomery County Community College. There will be free food available including pizza and Chick-fil A sandwiches. There will also be free beer. All participants will receive raffle tickets for great prizes. Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers. The first-place male and female finisher will receive a certificate to the restaurant Russet in Philadelphia along with a medal. All proceeds will go toward helping children in need of Tanzania, East Africa. The cost to register is $35. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/2wpfR2k.
Sept. 16, Wyndcroft Centennial 5K Run & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk in Pottstown: The flat course will take place mostly on the shaded Schuylkill River Trail. The 5K race will begin from Riverfront Park at 9 a.m. while the 1-mile fun walk/ run will begin at 9:30 a.m. There will be grab bags for all participants and top finishers will receive awards. The cost to register is $30. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/2C08OCd or contact Ken Dorris at 610-326-0544 ext. 119.
Sept. 29, Run for Courage 5K Run/Walk & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk in Royersford: Runners of all ages are asked to join the Spring-Ford High School Homecoming weekend for this running event which will take place on the school’s crosscountry course. The races begin at 9 a.m. Top finishers will receive medals. The overall top male and female finisher will receive a trophy and $25 gift card. The running event benefits The Conor McKenna Foundation. The foundation provides a college scholarship award to a Spring-Ford High School student each year. The cost to register is $20. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/2NvbcSY.
Oct. 20, Run4UrLife 5K in Bala Cynwyd: This spooky running event will take place at West Laurel Hill Cemetery. The whole family can join and choose to walk, run or cheer. The event will begin at 9 a.m. with a Trick or Treat Kids Dash then there will be a timed 5K through the cemetery. Runners can come in their favorite costumes. There will be prizes for best costumes as well as top finishers. The 5K registration is $35 and the kids dash is $10. All proceeds will go toward providing medically appropriate meals to people battling life threatening illnesses. For more information and to register, visit donate.mannapa.org/event/run4urlife-5k/e191571.
October 20, 7th Annual Tapping of the Great Pumpkin in North Wales: This event includes an 8K, 5K, Lil’ Pumpkin Run and 1-mile walk. The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Shoppes at English Village. There will be a Tapping of the Great Pumpkin Festival located next to Ironhill Brewery. All registered participants will get appetizers and pizza. Runners in costume will be entered in a contest. Top finishers will receive awards. For more information and registration prices, visit www.scoogieevents.com/events-list/6tha nnualtappingofthegreatpumpkin.
Berks County
Sept. 8, 7th Annual Hard to the Core 5K Apple Orchard Mud Run in Morgantown: This race begins 8:30 a.m. and will take place at Weaver’s Orchard Farm Market. The course begins at the pond then continues through apple trees, raspberry vines and Christmas trees. Along the route, there will be mud holes, hay bales obstacles and more. When participants finish the race, they will enjoy a live rock band and awards ceremony. Each 5K participant will get a T-shirt, water and apple-pancake breakfast. The race benefits local cancer patients. For more information and for registration prices, visit www.racemenu. com/events/161559-7th-AnnualHard-to-the-Core-5K-Apple-Orchard-Mud-Run.
Sept. 16, Tully Tu Eco 5K Run/ Walk & ½-Mile Kids Minnow Run in Reading: The race will support cold water conservation and stream restoration projects for the Schuylkill River Watershed. The race will begin from the Penn State Berks Campus at 10 a.m. The course is a single loop track around the campus and does include an offpayment grass portion. Top finishers will receive awards. The 5K registration is $30 and the ½-mile kids run is free. For more information and to register, visit bit. ly/2NxqlmL.
Oct. 6, Zombie Mud Run in Reading: This adventurous run is part of Shocktoberfest, an annual haunted scream park. The race will include mud, challenging obstacles, Zombies and more. Wave times are every half hour from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Participants are asked to arrive at least two hours before their start time. There will also be a Zombie Mud Run Junior which will begin at 11:30 a.m. for kids 12 and under along with their parents. The Zombie Night Run includes running from the zombies in the dark. It takes place on a 1-mile course along the Haunted Hayride trail of Shocktoberfest. For more information and to register, visit www.thezombiemudrun.com/.
Oct. 6, Paws on the Run 2-Mile Dog Run/Walk in Reading: This running and walking event for dogs and their owners begins 9 a.m. from Jim Dietrich Park. The dogs must always be leashed, and the leash can’t stretch more than five feet. A water hole will be available for dogs at the halfway point. The event will include raffle prices and a demonstration from K-9 units. Proceeds will be donated to Hounds on Working Leashes (H.O.W.L.) which provides K9 teams with bulletproof vests. Those that register before Sept. 29 will receive a T-shirt and movie pass to Reading IMAX. The cost to register is $25. For more information, visit bit.ly/2PlpLbZ.
Chester County
Sept. 7, Twilight Run & Walk in Downingtown: The 17th Annual Teri’s Run is organized in the memory of Teri Valocchi and all those battling Scleroderma. The evening running event will include a kids run, 5K run and 1.5-mile walk. There will be cash prizes and raffles. Refreshments will be served after the race. The cost to register is $30. For more information, visit terisrun.org/.
Sept. 9, Neighbors Helping Neighbors 5K/1-Mile Run & Walk n’ Roll in Phoenixville: The running event takes place at University of Valley Forge and Charlestown Township Park. Participants can run, walk, use a wheelchair or push a chair along the course. The cost to register is $25. For more information, visit orioncommunities.org/run-walk-roll/.
Sept. 14, 9th Annual West Chester STOMPS Cancer 5K and 1-Mile Walk: This family event raises funds so local families with cancer get help paying essential household bills. People can participate by forming a STOMP team in honor of a loved one. The event will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Barnaby’s of West Chester. For more information and to register, visit bringinghopehome.org/event/2018stomp/.
Oct. 7, Kimberton Farm-to-School Trail Run & Family Wellness Fair in Phoenixville: This family wellness event will include a 5K trail run, 10K trail run and 5K nature walk. Kimberton Waldorf School invites the community to their 6th annual family wellness event. The school is focusing on sustainability this year and raising awareness about nonGMO foods, clean water, clean air and healthy soils. The course will be on the French Creek Conservation Trail which includes dirt trails through the forest. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. There will be a wellness fair with food, children’s activities, free post-massages and more. The cost to register for the 5K events is $35 and the 10K registration is $40. For more information, visit kimberton.org/5k/.
Oct. 6, Blood Sweat Cheer 5K Trail Run & Kids Fun Run in Newtown Square: This running event is part of the 2018 Blood Sweat Cheer Festival which benefits the Delaware County Veterans Memorial. People can give blood through a blood drive. They can give sweat through a 5K trail run, a 1-mile kids fun run or a 50-yard dash. They can give cheer through the fitness festival which will have a kids’ zone and beer garden. The 5K registration cost is $25 and the kids fun run is $5. For more information, visit bloodsweatcheerfestival.com/.
Oct. 13, Footsteps for Friends 5K and 1-Mile Walk/Fun Run in Haverford: Friends School Haverford organizes this annual event which benefits financial aid and Quaker education. Participants will run along a course on streets through Haverford, Haverford College campus and the Haverford College nature trail. After the race there will be light refreshments, an awards ceremony and a Pumpkin Day celebration. The celebration will have field games, pumpkins to paint and activities including a scarecrow making station. The cost to register is $20. For more information, visit friendshaverford.org/footsteps-forfriends-saturday-october-14-845-am-5k-race-start/.
Oct. 20, Run-a-Muck with Willistown Conservation Trust in Newtown Square: This event will celebrate Willistown’s conserved lands through a run or muck (walk) with a 5K or 1-mile trail course. The 5K cross-country trail includes hills and stream crossing. People can bring their leashed dogs. The race starts at 3:30 p.m. from Kirkwood Preserve. Prizes will be given to those with the fastest times. The cost to register is $35. The event will also include beer, wine, barbeque and live music. There will be fun activities such as face paintings, a mechanical bull, lawn games and more. For more information, visit wctrust.org/run-amuck/.
Oct. 20, Run for the Mill 5K in Glen Mills: This event will include a 5K trail run, 1-mile walk and kids dash to benefit the Newlin Grist Mill which is a nonprofit historical and environmental site. The proceeds will go toward the maintenance and restoration of the water system which powers the mill. The races begin at 9 a.m. and there will be an awards ceremony at 10 a.m. The 5K registration is $30 and the 1-mile walk is $15. For more information, visit bit.ly/2LFxOyn.