Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned runner, you can find motivation in lacing up your sneakers for a good cause. Putting purpose into every step and every mile will not only help you reach personal fitness goals, but also help you double your joy by running races that benefit area nonprofits. Throughout the Susquehanna Valley, you can find a wide variety of races catering to Central Pennsylvania’s thriving running community, showcasing beautiful scenery, and raising precious funds that power many nonprofits’ missions.
Here’s a highlight list to help you “run with purpose” in 2019. >>
March 16
Run 4 Luck, Lancaster
The luck of the Irish is with all who participate in this 4-mile run, 2-mile walk, or kids’ fun run benefitting the Junior League of Lancaster. jllancaster.org/run4luck
March 30
Capital 10 Miler: A Run for the Arts, Harrisburg
Nonprofit arts organizations benefiting from this run along the Susquehanna River include the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Market Square Concerts, Open Stage of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Regional Ballet, Susquehanna Folk Music Society, and Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. capital10-miler.com
April 6
Garden Spot Village Half Marathon & 10K, New Holland
Organized and staffed by volunteers from the Garden Spot Village retirement community, featuring a course through Lancaster County’s Amish farmland, the races benefit the Garden Spot Village Benevolent Fund. gsv.run
April 27
14th Annual Logan’s 5K Run & Walk for Autism, City Island, Harrisburg
Logan’s Run raised more than $47,000 for the Autism Society Greater Harrisburg Area in 2018. “It’s our primary fundraiser; we wouldn’t be able to have any of our big events without it,” says Kelley Johnson, society board member and co-director of the run/walk. The nonprofit, which serves a 13-county area of Central Pennsylvania, provides numerous social events as well as support and education for families affected by autism. Johnson says the event is traditionally held in April to align with Autism Awareness Month. “The diagnosis rate is now 1 in 59 births, so the need is growing. Also, we are shifting our messaging from autism awareness to autism acceptance.” She describes the race day atmosphere as “a fun, carnival-type event for a whole range of participants—those who are serious runners, people who like to run charity events, and those who just want to have fun.” facebook.com/LogansRunAndWalkForAutism
April 27
YWCA Lancaster’s 21st Annual Race Against Racism, Musser Park, Lancaster
Traditionally held on the last Saturday of April, the Race Against Racism is a statement against racism in communities across the United States, with proceeds benefitting YMCAs and YWCAs. Lancaster’s event has the distinction of being the longest consecutive-running Race Against Racism in the country. Similar events take place in Harrisburg, York, and Carlisle. ywcalancaster.org/raceagainstracism
May 11
5th Annual 5K Hummelstown Hunger Run
All proceeds benefit the Hummelstown Food Pantry, a partner with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. htownhungerrun.wixsite.com/hummelstown5k
May 19
15th Annual Randi’s Race: A 5K Run/Walk for Hope and Courage, Adams Ricci Park, Enola
Named for Randi Lee Trimble, who was killed in 2003 by a hit man hired by her husband, this event raises money for Randi’s House of Angels, which supports children who are victims of domestic violence. It has raised $388,000 since 2005. randishouseofangels.org
May-November
Harrisburg YMCA Race Series (six events culminating in November’s Harrisburg Marathon)
Funds from this series directly support the East Shore YMCA, which serves more than 50,000 members and 200,000 people annually. According to race director Tom Gifford, the marathon draws between 1,300 and 1,400 runners supported by community spirit. “You see sponsor logos on shirts, but the sponsors also play a big role helping with the race and providing support at water stations. The marathon brings a lot of people together, even the police and fire department, and is a very positive community event that draws up to several thousand spectators.” ymcarun.com
June 15
29th Annual Spirit of Gettysburg 5K
With a historic course in the Gettysburg National Military Park, the race highlights locations pivotal to the first day of 1863’s Battle of Gettysburg, including the Eternal Light Peace Memorial. Proceeds benefit the YWCA Gettysburg and Adams County. ywcagettysburg.org/spirit-of-gettysburg-5k
September 6
Bird-in-Hand Half Marathon & 5K
Benefitting the Bird-in-Hand Volunteer Fire Company, the half marathon gifts participants with unique finishers’ medals featuring real horseshoes from surrounding Amish farms. bihfire.com
September 15
Harrisburg Jewish Community Center 5K Walk/Run
Proceeds benefit the Josh Klein Bikkur Cholim Society, established in 200 to serve the needs of Central Pennsylvania’s ill and their families in memory of a young man who needed a heart and lung transplant but died before organs became available. jewishharrisburg.org/community-calendar/2019-5k
September 28
16th Annual Hands-On House Half Marathon, 10K & 5K, Lancaster
More than 700 runners provide the power behind this fundraiser—the largest one benefitting the nonprofit Hands-on House Children’s Museum of Lancaster, in operation for 31 years. Lancaster County’s original, oldest half marathon, now with added 10K and 5K options, raised $30,000 in 2018. “A lot of people come because it’s for a good cause, also due to the timing of the race in September, and because Lancaster County is a big draw itself,” says Julia Connolly, Hands-on House executive director. The bucolic race course features one-room schoolhouses and covered bridges. “Early childhood education is an important focus in today’s society. Donations given and funds raised during the Hands-on House Half Marathon, 10K & 5K help give every child the power of learning through play, creating a legacy of education and fun for our whole community.” She adds that 50,000 people visit the museum annually. handsonhouse.org
September 28
42nd Annual York White Rose Run 5 Miler
Proceeds from this York tradition benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of York & Adams Counties. yorkroadrunners.com/yorkwhiteroserun
October 20
Hershey Half Marathon
The Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital is the beneficiary of this half marathon, which begins at Hersheypark Stadium and winds its way through Hersheypark, Chocolate Avenue and Milton Hershey School with lots of energy and fan support. hersheypa.com/things-to-do/attractions/hershey-half-marathon.php
October 27
Bark in the Park 5K & One Mile Dog Walk, City Island, Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania Veterinary Foundation’s The Last Chance (TLC) program benefits from this annual event featuring hundreds of dogs and their owners in colorful Halloween costumes. barkinthepark5k.org
Fall 2019: Dates coming soon
Shooting Star Walk for Life & 5K Run, City Island, Harrisburg
One of the top three fundraisers for Harrisburg’s Morning Star Pregnancy Services, the event raised more than $53,000 in 2018. In addition to the run and walk, the day’s festivities include a pancake breakfast, rides, entertainment, and more family-oriented events. “It helps in a number of ways—it generates almost 10 percent of our yearly operating revenues, but even more importantly, it’s an opportunity for families and friends of Morning Star to gather in celebration of life,” says Tom Pyne, Director of Development. In 2018, Morning Star served more than 1,800 clients at its three locations—Harrisburg, Middletown, and New Cumberland. supportmorningstar.com
Shelter Shuffle 5K Run/Walk, former Harrisburg State Hospital Campus, Harrisburg
Proceeds benefit the Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families, a residential program that keeps homeless family members together during times of crisis. cchbg.org/events
November 2
Blood Sweat and Tears 5 Miler & 5K Walk/Run, Lebanon County
With a course through Lawn, Colebrook and Lebanon Rails to Trails, this event benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® Central Pennsylvania and the Emily Whitehead Foundation. bloodsweatandtearsfivemiler.weebly.com
November: Dates coming soon
Gulliver’s Run, Lewisberry
Held in York County’s Gifford Pinchot State Park, this annual 5K encourages participants to walk or run with their dogs, and all proceeds benefit the National Canine Cancer Foundation. runagainstcaninecancer.org/gulliver
Cocoa Bean 5K Run/Walk,Hershey
Following the John Eshenour Trail from Penn State’s Hershey Medical Center University Fitness and Conference Center, the race is sponsored by Penn State Hershey Community Outreach Team and benefits local food banks and Penn State Health Emergency Food Box Initiative. runsignup.com/Race/PA/HersheyPA/4thAnnualCocoaBean5KRunWalk
Swatara Township PoliceDepartment 5K Hero Run
This race supports Keystone Wounded Warriors which aids veterans; COPS for K.O.P.S. which supports the children of fallen Pennsylvania police officers; and the Swatara Township Police Department’s K-9 Fund. dauphin.crimewatchpa.com/swatarapd
November 28 (Thanksgiving)
14th Annual SMT Turkey Trot 5K & Tri, New Cumberland
One of the largest Thanksgiving Day turkey trots in Central PA, this annual race has generated more than $400,000 over the years for the nonprofit Vickie’s Angel Foundation, which helps families affected by cancer with their living expenses in nine Central PA counties. Nearly 3,000 participants lace up their sneakers for the cause. Race director Mari Lynn Dare, who organizes the event in memory of her mother who died of cancer, says Thanksgiving is the perfect day for a 5K or the fun “tri” that involves running with a pumpkin and other challenges. “We attract a lot of participants whose lives are affected by cancer and run in someone’s memory for a good cause, which ties into Thanksgiving as a very family oriented holiday.” smtturkeytrot.org
