The big day is nearly here but there’s still time to sign up for Sunday’s 24th annual Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic.
Whether your favorite distance is 5K, one mile or even a kids’ 50-yard Sesame Sprint, the Classic has something to offer for everyone.
Just go to the race website, http://www.sesameplaceclassic5k.com, to register and learn all about the race and some of its new features, including the extension of the free, one-day admission to all participants at the park in Langhorne.
This year the ticket, which normally had to be used by late June, now will be good all the way until the end of September.
Besides that, all entrants can purchase an additional five tickets to Sesame at a 50% discounted rate.
While weather forecasts can be fickle at best, early predictions for Sunday suggest a partly sunny day with a high in the 70s. Because the 1-mile starts at 7 a.m. and the 5K at 8 a.m., the thermometer for racers should be at a comfortable reading somewhere in the mid-50s.
Race officials are expecting a field of about 700 runners and there should be plenty of open space to run on the roads surrounding Oxford Valley Mall.
Proceeds from the Classic benefit the Dick Dougherty Scholarship Fund, which has raised some $500,000 for Bucks County’s college-bound top scholar-athletes since the event’s inception in 1999.
So don’t miss this great opportunity. As mentioned, online registration is still open.
You can also sign up for the race during packet pickup at Oxford Valley Mall (Macy’s front court), which will be held on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition, registration will be available the morning of the race at the main check-in table (near the front entrance to Sesame Place) but the best way to avoid delays and waiting lines is to sign up early.
The Classic is jointly organized by the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club and the Bucks County Herald.
This year’s Classic spotlights the Sesame character “Snuffleupagus” who will be featured on the event’s sharp-looking T-shirts.
Several Sesame characters will be on hand the morning of the big day to help celebrate all the activities, which include a visit by the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company Truck 21. Youngsters will have a chance to sit inside the truck behind the wheel of the big rig and get a sense just how exciting this vehicle can be.
As Kiwanis Club’s Jill Saul pointed out last year, it’s a day for fun, excitement and raising money for a great cause.
“I can’t describe the rush of joy to see parents high-fiving their children who have crossed the finish line for the first time,” Saul said. “It’s such a fun time for everyone.
“The fact that it helps to sponsor scholar-athletes in their endeavors toward high education adds to the rewards of the day. The Sesame characters interacting with the children, the walkers talking and smiling and the sea of matching shirts makes for an exciting and wholesome event.”
All runners in the three competitions receive a special finisher’s medal. The largest participating group receives the annual Sesame Classic Spirit Award.
Sesame Place always looks forward to host this red-letter date on the racing calendar.
“This wonderful event has created countless opportunities for students and Sesame Place Philadelphia is honored to host,” said Sesame Place’s P.J. Schweizer. “The park is excited to give runners a day of Sesame Street-themed fun.”
If trail running is your thing, we have just the race for you.
Registration for the 2024 Equinox Trail Run at Tyler State Park on June 22 is officially open.
Running in scenic Tyler is a blast and there’s plenty of it in this unique event.
Competitors will traverse lots of mileage on dirt trails and pavement loops. It’s a fun time running with family and friends. Refreshments will be provided at the start/finish area.
Registration is free to Bucks County Roadrunners Club members and this year the event is open to non-club runners for a nominal fee.
To learn more about the Equinox and to sign up for one of the races, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Richboro/EquinoxEnduranceEvent.
Sunday
– 24th annual Sesame Place Classic 5K, 1-Mile, Sesame Sprint, 7 a.m. (5K at 8 a.m.), Langhorne. www.sesameplaceclassic5k.com
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