Race season is finally upon us, which means it’s the perfect time to make strides into getting active again after a long winter. The Susquehanna Valley boasts an endless list of races that not only get you moving, but help raise awareness for different community causes. Time to lace up those sneakers!
The Butterfly Trail Run
Lancaster County Park, PA Pavilion #2 1050 Rockford Road | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Lancaster/Butterfly5KTrailRunWalk
This run or walk event starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 23. Participants can choose three different events, either the 5k, 10k, or 1 mile fun run. All the money raised from this event will support kisses for EB, a non-profit looking to spread awareness about Epidermolysis, a rare genetic connective tissue disorder. The course for this race is described as mostly trails with some hills. Their website states “very challenging but also rewarding”. The events start at 9 a.m., and the registration fee for this event is $30 for 5k and 10k events, and $13 for the one-mile fun run.
YWCA Lancaster’s 24th Annual Race Against Racism
Musser Park, Lancaster | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Lancaster/YWCALancasterRaceAgainstRacism
This 5k race is the longest running race against racism in the United States. All the proceeds from this race will support the Center for Racial and Gender Equity, and community programs centered around the education of advocacy and change. The event takes place at 9 a.m. in Musser park on Saturday, April 30th with a kids run following after at 10:30 a.m. The registration fee for this is $30, which includes both the in-person and self-guided options for the race.
Conestoga Crusher 10k Trail Race
257 Old Holtwood Rd, Holtwood | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Holtwood/ConestogaCrusher10KTrailRace
Located at Kelly’s run nature preserve, this race will provide a scenic route while participants complete the 10k run. Within this event, participants will also enjoy an interactive experience with the natural setting, as they will be running through creek crossings, steep climbs, and subsequent downhills. This race takes place on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m. and includes a registration fee of $40.
Run the Vineyards-The 5k Waltz
1599 Old Line Rd, Manheim | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Manheim/RuntheVineyardsWaltz5K
This 5k race through Waltz Vineyards estate winery includes a unique racing experience that few can say they accomplished. This event offers a complimentary glass of wine after the race, along with live music and an on-site food truck to celebrate the participant’s athletic achievements. This race starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 4 and includes a $42 registration fee.
Running for Rachel
City Island, 1 Championship Way, Harrisburg | runsignup.com/Race/PA/ANYWHERE/RunningForRachel5k
This 5k is a race in memory of Rachel Guss, a Dauphin County native and an Elizabethtown College graduate who sadly passed away from duodenal cancer in 2011. This race takes place on Sunday, April 24 at 11 a.m. and can be completed either in person or virtually. There is a registration fee of $25 and anyone who registers before race day will be given a t-shirt.
Hummelstown Hunger Run
Herbert A Schaffner Park, Hummelstown | htownhungerrun.wixsite.com/hummelstown5k
This race is a 5k 5M that has both a running and a walking start at 10a.m. on Saturday, May 14. All proceeds for this event benefit the Hummelstown Food Pantry. Participants who bring a non-perishable food item for the pantry’s collection will be entered into a drawing for a gift certificate. Online registration closes on May 7 and varies between $30 normally, $20 student rate, and $20 for the 5k walk.
The YMCA Harrisburg Halfity-Half Marathon
City Island,1 Championship Way, Harrisburg | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harrisburg/HalfityHalf
This race comes in a variety of options, as participants can choose between a half marathon (13.1 miles), quarter marathon (6.55 miles), or 1/8 marathon (3.27 miles). All races take place on Sunday, May 22 and start at 7:30 a.m. Registration closes when spots run out, and the fees in the sequential order of events is $75, $40, and $25. There is an after party at the Harrisburg Beach Club on City Island to celebrate the participants athletic achievements.
Pirate 5k and Half Marathon
11 Championship Way, Harrisburg | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Harrisburg/USRoadRunningMovieMadness5K
This 5k and half marathon is a part of a “movie madness” theme where runners can cross the finish line in costume, this year’s theme being a pirate. Both events take place on June 11, with the half marathon starting at 8:00 a.m. and the 5k at 8:20 a.m. The registration fee for the 5k is $35 and for the half marathon is $50. Registration must be done online before race day and will close when all available spots fill up.
9th Annual Luau
Pinchot Park Conewago Day Use Area, Lakeside Trail, Wellsville | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Wellsville/USRoadRunningLuau5K10K
This 9th annual event offers a triad of races in the forms of a 5k, 10k, and 15k on Saturday, April 23. All registration for the three races closes on April 21at 4 p.m., with fees of $45 for the 15k, $39 for the 10k, and $27 for the 5k. The 15k race begins at 8 a.m., with the 10k starting 30 minutes after at 8:30 a.m., and then the 5k starting at 9 a.m.
Run with Rider
Northern High School, 653 S Baltimore St, Dillsburg | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Dillsburg/RunWithRider
This 5k run/walk and 1.5-mile fun walk benefits the Rider Williams Foundation, a non-profit that supports mental wellness through education, awareness, and fitness. It also provides athletic training grants for adolescents looking to pursue their sport to their best ability. This race takes place on Saturday, May 7 at 8 a.m., both in person and virtually. Registration ends on May 4 at 11:59 p.m., and fees for both events are $25.
York YMCA Marathon and Half Marathon
York YMCA, 90 N Newberry St, York | runsignup.com/Race/PA/York/YorkMarathon
These races are more intense than the ones previously listed, as they are either a half or full marathons. This event is a Boston Marathon qualifier, but is offered for anyone, even if it is their first long distance race. Both events take place on Saturday, May 15 with the marathon starting at 6 a.m. and the half marathon starting at 7:40 a.m. Registration closes on May 9, and the registration fee for the marathon is $80 and $60 for the half marathon.
Cousler Park 5k/10k
1060 Church Rd, York | runsignup.com/Race/PA/York/CouslerJun2022
These races take place on Saturday, June 11 with both events starting at 8:30 a.m. Registration ends on the same day, but must be done online. The fees vary, the 5k being $25 and the 10k at $30. At the race, volunteers will be collecting donations for Central York School District’s Panther Pantry, and any runner who brings a donation will receive entries for a special giveaway prize.
Bashore Bash 6H and 12H Ultra
160 Moonshine Rd, Jonestown | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Jonestown/BashoreBash6HR12HRUltra2021
This race offers a true connection to nature and exercise, as it is located in the Blue Mountains on the trails of Bashore Scout Reservation in north Lebanon county. This race is perfect for any runner, as the participants can decide how many loops around the tracks they would like to complete. This race takes place on Saturday, June 4 with both events starting at 7 a.m. The registration fees for this event differ, as the 6-hour event fee is $75 and the 12-hour event is $95.
10th Annual Charcoal Challenge
Pine Grove Furnace State Park, 1100 Pine Grove Rd, Gardners | runreg.com/10th-annual-charcoal-challenge-5k-trailroad-run
The 10th annual Charcoal Challenge race is set to take place on Saturday, June 11. This event is both a half marathon and a 5k, with each separate race starting at 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. Proceeds benefit the preservation of Pine Grove Furnace State Park, but patrons can also make an extra donation to the Appalachian Trail Museum. Online registration for the race ends on Tuesday, June 7.
Panther Prowl 5k Run for Education and One Mile Color Fun Run
890 Panther Parkway, Enola | runsignup.com/Race/PA/Enola/PantherProwl5KRunforEducationandOneMileColorFunRun
This 5k race for education, taking place on Sunday April 24, is organized by the East Pennsboro Panther Foundation and East Pennsboro High School track team. This event starts at 11 a.m. at the Panther Prowl. Proceeds from the 5k run will contribute to sponsorships for seniors in the East Pennsboro High, Cumberland Valley High and Cumberland-Perry CTC schools. After this race there is the one-mile color run, which begins at 1 p.m. This race includes a vivid interactive element with a color run through different obstacles that is sure to be fun for all ages. The registration fees differ per event, as the 5k run for education fee is $25 and the Color fun run is $15.
Carlisle Downtown Mile
900 West Carlisle St, Carlisle | employmentskillscenter.org/fundraisers/carlisle-downtown-mile/
The 11th annual Carlisle Downtown Mile is a fundraiser for the Employment Skills Center which provides adult education and training free of charge. The race is offered both in-person and virtually, both taking place on Thursday, May 19. There are two different categories for this race, the first being a just for fun run/walk in which participants can walk or run the course for fun. The second category is split up by age and adds a competitive element. This event starts at 6:15 p.m. For adults, the fee is $24 to participate in person and $15 to participate virtually. For children 13 and under, the in-person fee is $18 and the virtual is $10.
