Stretch your legs at fundraisers and fun runs

It’s time to stretch your legs.

After a long winter and more than a year of quarantine, many of us are aching for some fresh air and exercise — and lots of local organizations have just the ticket. They’ve packed these next weeks of spring with 5Ks and other runs to raise money for their various causes. So lace up your sneakers and hit the road, all for a good cause.

Here are just a few ways you can help.

 

16th Annual Moonlight Walk/Run

Presented by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania, this year’s event will take place virtually. Participants can walk 1.5 miles or run a 5K or 10K. Instead of awards, the CAC will raffle off gift cards. A COVID-friendly swag bag and raffle pickup will take place Saturday, May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the CAC, 1710 Mulberry St., Scranton.

• When: Email times to rosemary@cacnepa.org by Thursday, April 29.
• Where: Virtual; participants complete walk/run at place of their choosing
• Registration: $25; visit runsignup.com/moonlightrun
• Details: 570-969-7313 or cacnepa.org

 

University of Scranton Kinesiology Club Neon 5K

Participants can complete the run/walk between at any time over the designated weekend. Organizers will award prizes for the most creative costume, the funniest costume and the top three fastest times as well as to a random participant.

• When: Friday, April 30, through Sunday, May 2
• Registration: Free
• Details: runsignup.com/Race/PA/Scranton/UniversityofScrantonKinesiologyClubNeon5K

 

The Superhero Trilogy Virtual Race Series

MWS Race Team is a hosting three superhero-themed virtual races, starting with the Flash Mile, a 1-mile run to be completed in May. The series will continue with the Iron Man 5K in June and the Captain Marvel 10K in July. Participants receive a medal and raffle ticket for finishing. Those who sign up for all three races get the medal, three raffle tickets and a T-shirt.

Racers can participate in individual races or all three, with discounted bundles available. They also can bundle the virtual trilogy or the Iron Man 5K with MWS’s in-person Super Hero 5K Event happening Saturday, June 26, at 8 a.m. in Montrose.

• When: May through July
• Where: Virtual
• Registration: $15 Flash Mile/$25 Iron Man 5K/$35 Captain Marvel 10K/$50 virtual trilogy/$25 Superhero 5K Event and virtual Iron Man 5K/$50 virtual trilogy and Superhero 5K Event
• Details: mwsraceteam.org

 

27th annual Fred Ciotti Memorial Color Run/Walk for Autism Awareness

The top three male and female finishers in the 5K run/walk received trophies (the race will not be timed). A basket raffle will be held during the trophy ceremony. In the color fun run/walk, participants can choose to complete 1, 2 or 3 miles; the first 300 participants receive a shirt, color packet and sunglasses. Proceeds benefit the Greater Carbondale YMCA’s autism support groups.

• When: Saturday, May 1, 9 a.m. ($20 a person)
• Where: Greater Carbondale YMCA, 82 N. Main St., Carbondale
• Registration: $20; family discounts available if more than three members participate
• Details: 570-282-2210 or greatercarbondaleymca.org

 

Tough as Trails

Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry, the National Park Service’s education partner in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, will host a virtual race. Participants can choose how far they want to run through the registration website. Once registered, they should download the free JustMove app and then search for and join the event, located in the “charities” section. The app is available through Google Play and the Apple App Store.

• When: Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2
• Where: Virtual; use the JustMove app
• Registration: $10 minimum donation; benefits the non-profit PEEC
• Details: peec.jmvirtualraces.com/signup or 570-828-2319

 

University of Scranton Virtual 5.06K

Participants can complete the race anywhere during the designated dates, and they will be counted as donors for Scranton’s seventh Annual Day of Giving. Those who designate the university’s Pilarz Scholarship as the beneficiary of their contribution will receive a “Don’t Waste Love” T-shirt in memory of the late Rev. Scott Pilarz, past U of S president.

• When: Saturday, May 1, and Thursday, May 6
• Where: Virtual
• Registration: $30
• Details: app.mobilecause.com/form/7CTy2w?vid=ictn5 or 570-941-7723

 

Waverly Waddle 5K Walk/Run

Waverly Community House will hold the run/walk in person and virtually so people can participate where they feel comfortable. The event is open to all ages and abilities. The Comm will not hold the traditional Junior Waddle this year, however. The Comm recommends registering by Tuesday, May 6, to reduce queues the day of the event. The race will be professionally chip-timed through Second Wind Race Timing. The first overall male and female runners and walkers as well as the first- and second-place male and female in each age group will receive awards. Proceeds benefit recreational programs and reopening efforts at the Comm.

• When: Saturday, May 8; check-in, 8 to 8:45; event, 9 (start times will be staggered)
• Where: Waverly Community House, 1115 North Abington Road, Waverly Twp.
• Registration: Individual $20 advance/$25 day of event; ages 12 and younger $12 advance/$15 day of event; families (three or more people) $35 advance/$40 day of event
• Details: waverlycomm.org, NEPARUNNER.com, 570-586-8191 or Kathy@waverlycomm.org

 

Cinco de Mayo Run/Walk

The run/walk will benefit Food for the Poor to help Central American residents suffering famine because of the coronavirus pandemic, flooding and political unrest. It begins on the Dunmore High School track and winds through borough streets. Baskets will be raffled off, and the first-place finisher and the first- and second-place finishers in each category will receive prizes.

Registration will take place online only, and coronavirus-related precautions will be in place on race day, including social distancing and having hand-sanitizing stations. Masks must be worn except when running.

• When: Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m.
• Where: Dunmore High School, 300 W. Warren St.
• Registration: $20
• Details: runsignup.com

 

Helping Hometown Heroes NEPA 5K Run/1-Mile Walk

Proceeds from the race benefit two veteran-focused organizations, Warrior Strong, which offers free fitness classes for veterans and their families, and Equines for Freedom, a nonprofit that treats veterans and active military members with horse-based therapy.

The top overall male and female finishers and the top overall male and female master runners will receive special awards. The top three male and female finishers in each age group will get medals, too. Pre-registered participants can pick up their race packets Friday, May 14, from noon to 7 p.m. at Scranton Running Co., 3 W. Olive St.

• When: Saturday, May 15; registration, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.; race, 9
• Where: Blakely Borough Recreational Complex, River and Keystone avenues, Peckville
• Registration: $10 for children 14 and younger/$20 ages 15 and older in advance/$25 ages 15 and older on race day
• Details: runsignup.com

 

Run Around for the Playground

This inaugural 5K race/1-mile walk will raise money for the installation of a special-needs playground at Nay Aug Park that will include climbing equipment, swings, slides and more.

The first 125 registered participants will receive T-shirts. Packet pickup for those registered in advance will take place Thursday, May 20, and Friday, May 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Nay Aug Park Community Room. Registration the day of the event will take place at the park’s Schimelfenig Pavilion.

The top male and female racers will win prizes.

• When: Saturday, May 22; registration, 7:30 a.m.; race, 9
• Where: Nay Aug Park, 500 Arthur Ave., Scranton
• Registration: $25 advance/$30 day of event
• Details: runsignup.com

 

Jog for Jude Virtual 5K

The seventh annual race is held in memory of Jude Zayac, who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 2014, and it raises awareness for the condition and money for SIDS research. This year, it will take place virtually because of the pandemic, and participants are encouraged to run or walk over Memorial Day weekend at a place of their choosing and them submit their times.

Participants who register before Monday, May 3, will receive a tri-blend race T-shirt. The overall male and female champions get trophies and prizes, the top male and female finishers in each age group receive medals, and additional prizes will go to the top three male/female finishers in broader age groups.

• When: Friday, May 28, through Monday, May 31
• Where: Virtual
• Registration: $25
• Details: runsignup.com/jogforjude or james.mccormick.jr@gmail.com

 

Black Diamond Series: Mainline 5K

A 5K kicks off the Black Diamond Running Series, which takes runners across Montage Mountain Resort’s ski slopes (the second race in the series, an 8K, follows on Sunday, July 25). Participants can sign up for either race, or both. Registration includes admission to Montage’s waterpark, and participants also receive an option to buy up to four more waterpark tickets for $15 each.

The top three male and female finishers and the top male and female masters man (40 and older) will receive prizes. Free beer also will be served on the deck while supplies last.

• When: Sunday, June 6; registration, 7 to 8:15 a.m.; race, 8:30
• Where: Montage Mountain, 1000 Montage Mountain Road, Scranton
• Registration: $35 advance/$45 day of event (includes water park admission)
• Details: runsignup.com

 

Hawley Spring Run: A Race Against Suicide 5K Run/Walk

In addition to raising awareness about suicide prevention, the event benefits the Tyler Paul Whitman Memorial Scholarship give to a graduating senior at Wallenpaupack Area High School and the Northeast Suicide Prevention Initiative.

This year’s run/walk will take place in person and virtually, and participants receive a free race T-shirt. Virtual participants can run at any time through June 6, and, if they want, can email cwhitman@echoes.net with their their name, gender, age and a photo of their Garmin, Strava or other app showing proof of their run and 5K time.

• When: Sunday, June 6; registration, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; race, 1
• Where: Bingham Park, 133-179 Main Ave., Hawley
• Registration: In-person race, $15 advance/$18 day of event; virtual race, $20
• Details: runsignup.com, 570-689-3345 or cwhitman@echoes.net

 

Poconos Triathlon Festival

This event presented by Kinetic Multisports takes place over three days at Lake Wallenpaupack and is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. Friday’s swim-run prologue is billed as “spectator-friendly” since it happens with a half-mile of the beach.

All participants receive a tri-blend shirt, custom race socks and a finishers medal. There are several race categories: age group, Aquabike, Relay Teams, Clydesdale, Athena, Military and Novice (no awards). A virtual option also is available.

• When: Friday, June 11, through Sunday, June 13
• Schedule: Poconos Swim-Run Prologue, Friday, 5 p.m.; Poconos Swim-Run Splash and Dash, Friday, 5 p.m.; Poconos Long Course, Saturday, 7 a.m.; Poconos Olympic, Saturday, 7:30 a.m.; Poconos Sprint, Sunday, 8 a.m.
• Where: Lake Wallenpaupack, Hawley
• Registration: $60 to $345
• Details: kineticmultisports.com/races/poconos