Editor's Note: This story has been updated to remove a reference to Snuffy being in attendance at the Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic.
One of the great attractions to the annual Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic is the creative T-shirt that comes with a race entry.
For each annual event, one of the more prominent “Sesame Street” TV characters is featured on the front of the popular clothing item.
This year’s 24th version of the KHSPC garment will hold true to form.
The star of the show is “Mr. Snuffleupagus,” or “Snuffy” for short. His official name is “Aloysius Snuffleupagus.” According to the Mr. Snuffleupagus Wikipedia page, he bears resemblance to giant anteaters and mammoths, but has no tusks or visible ears, and has a tail similar in shape to that of a dinosaur.
So what makes him so lovable? Is it the brown hair, the trunk or “snuffle,” that drags along the ground? Or is it because he’s Big Bird’s best friend?
Oh, and let’s not forget he has a younger sister named Alice.
Snuffy’s image is what you will find on the front of this year’s shirt and race officials believe it will be a big hit when runners line up at the park on the morning of Sunday, May 19.
Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club’s Jill Saul said the spirit of Snuffy epitomizes the Classic race, which raises money for the Dick Dougherty Scholarship Fund. Since the race’s inception in 1999, approximately $500,000 has been raised to assist college-bound seniors from 18 Bucks County high schools.
“We are so excited to be featuring the shy and gentle Snuffleupagus on our T-shirts this year,” Saul said. “Everyone needs a friend like Snuffy. He never steals the limelight and he always takes care of the needs of others.”
In addition to the Classic 5K, there will be a 1-mile competition as well as the aforementioned 50-meter kids’ event.
To register, visit www.sesameplaceclassic5k.com for sign-up information.
Kiwanis Club’s Mary Berman has helped organize many of these Sesame races and looks forward to seeing the expressions on the kids’ faces.
“Every year participants in all age categories love to get one of the Sesame characters on their race day shirt,” Berman said. “Mr. Snuffleupagus fits right into the spirit of the race – he loves to dance and exercise. In fact, over the years he’s been doing the Snuffleupagus Polka.
“This year we all will get the feeling of exercising with him and all his friends by running the race and wearing the really cool shirt with Snuffy’s picture on it.”
For those who register early, the shirt will be included in the pre-race packet, which can be picked up at Oxford Valley Mall (adjacent to Macy’s) on Friday, May 17 (6 to 9 p.m.) or Saturday, May 18 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
For the past two years coming out of the pandemic, the race has drawn an average of more than 900 runners.
Kiwanis Club’s Dixie Rhodes has been a key official for the race dating back a number of years. The Classic is always a red-letter date on her calendar.
“The shirt this year will be adored by everyone,” she predicted. “What’s not to like about an imaginary friend who can now be seen by everyone?
“I’m looking forward to seeing the smiling faces of youngsters when this popular character makes a guest appearance.”
Saturday
– Blaze of Glory 5K, 9 a.m., Plumsteadville. Contact www.bucks5kseries.com.
– Rock Your Socks 5K for Down Syndrome, 10 a.m., Langhorne. Contact www.raceentry.com.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
