When the product you’re offering has good word-of-mouth, people will come from far and wide to give it a try.
Such was the case with this year’s Bucks 5K Series.
Runners from as far away as Cologne, Germany, were part of a contingent of 2,400 participants in the seven-race slate provided in mid-Bucks County.
Others hailed from faraway locales such as Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Washington, Texas and Oregon as well as nearby states like Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.
The word is out that this series has it all, from fast, scenic courses to great post-race festivities.
No doubt the popular schedule of competitions was assisted by this year’s addition of the Be Kind 5K, which drew one of the Series’ largest fields back in mid-April.
Runners from ages 6 to 88 took part in the Bucks 5K Series fun.
Race director Dick Patterson reports there were 35 people who ran in all seven races and 41 more who took part in six.
Last year was a “recovery” year after a two-year pause for the pandemic. In 2023, things were completely back to normal.
“We had a very successful year, matching the pre-pandemic years,” Patterson said. “The Be Kind 5K was a great success, especially considering the fact that it was their first year as part of the Series. In addition to attracting a large number of runners and walkers, Josh Izewski cracked the 15-minute mark (14:55) with the fastest time of all of the Series races.”
A couple races experienced challenging weather conditions but overall the skies were pretty favorable throughout the spring.
“We surely don’t have fair weather runners in this group,” read the report in the Bucks 5K Series newsletter. “Blaze of Glory was able to schedule the race to start and finish just before the skies opened up. Bookin for Lookin wasn’t quite as lucky but it was warm enough that the rain felt nice. At the other five events participants were able to enjoy the sunshine.”
The overall Bucks 5K Series award winners were:
– Male: Dan Klein with 75 points.
– Female: Kellie Shimer with 65 points.
The overall age-graded masters were:
– Male: Bob Boland with 70 points.
– Female: Gert Freas with 75 points.
The Bucks 5K Series sponsors were: Advanced Spine & Sports Medicine (title sponsor), Fred Beans, Marvic, Dave & Buster’s, Mind Your Design, Marshall Financial Group, Bucks County Road Runners, Jarrett Vaughan Builders, Delaware Valley University, Apex Benefit Group, Bagel Barrel, Planet Smoothie.
If it’s July Fourth and you’re a runner in Bucks County, there’s a time-honored place to be: The Revolutionary Run in Washington Crossing.
It’s been around more than 40 years and still draws the largest one-day field in Bucks County racing. More than a total of a thousand striders routinely show up for either the 10K, 5K or 1-miler.
To register and get more information, visit www.revrun.pa.
It was good to see Trenton’s favorite daughter Athing Mu back on track this past weekend.
The reigning Olympic and World Championships 800-meter gold medalist on Saturday entered her first race of the year at the New York City Track and Field Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium on Randall’s Island.
She didn’t disappoint, winning handily in 1:58 and change.
Next stop Oregon for the U.S. championships and then most likely on to Budapest for the World Championships.
Right now she would be the odds-on favorite for both.
Next week, On the Run column will be taking a vacation/holiday break. Everyone please have a great, safe July Fourth and we will see you in a couple.
Tuesday
– Revolutionary Run 10K/5K/1-Miler, 8 a.m., Washington Crossing. Contact www.runsignup.com.
– Four on the Fourth 4-miler, 8:30 a.m., Churchville. Contact www.runsignup.com.
Sunday, July 9
– 988 Run Out of the Darkness 5K/10K, 8 a.m., Perkasie. Contact www.runningintheusa.com.
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