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20 Years of Building Community One Step at a Time

It's hard to imagine but we are celebrating the 20th season of the Mercer Health 5K Challenge. While much has changed in our world in the past 20 years, the Challenge series is a staple in Mercer County providing young and old alike the opportunity to physically challenge themselves and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Once again, in 2024 all participants ages 14 and under receive FREE entry for ALL seven MH5K events. Individual 5K shirts are not included in the free entry but may be purchased.

Also, back by popular demand is bundle registration, which provides participants the opportunity to register for all seven events for the great price of $90 allowing you to enter all seven races for the price of six. Online registration is now open for bundle and individual 5K's.

To add some fun to this year's events, each 5K will have a theme. Please see the schedule below for the theme for each race. We encourage every to join in the fun of the themed events.

• June 15th 9:00 AM Zuma Days – Hawaiian/Luau
• June 22nd 9:00 AM Country Fest – Pool Party
• July 7th 8:45 AM Redskin Classic – Patriotic
• July 13th 8:30 AM Shanes Crossing – Christmas in July
• July 20th 8:30 AM St. Clair – Neon Florescent
• July 27th 8:00 AM Lake Festival – Super Heroes
• Aug 3rd 8:30 AM Buzzards Glory – The Olympics

Online registration is open for each of these events. Online registration will allow you to receive text notifications of your finish time as well as insure accurate data entry. Participants can also register in person the day of the race.

By participating in at least five of the seven challenge events, you will earn a Mercer Health 5K Challenge running tech shirt and be eligible for year-end age group awards.

All events will be chip timed by Can't Stop Running Company. And the series standings will be updated week by week.

Age groups – will begin at 10 and under with the final age group being 65 and over.

If you are new to the series and wonder how it works, here are the details:

As you compete in the events, points will be earned based upon your finishing time and how you place within your age group. These points are accumulated throughout the 5K season. Participate in five of the seven Challenge events and you will be eligible to receive a Challenge quarter zip pullover. If you finish in the top three of your age group, you will also be eligible for year end awards, All awards will be presented on the Saturday morning of the Buzzards Glory 5K.

Perhaps greater than the awards you may receive will be the camaraderie of new friends you will make during the Challenge season along with the pride of competing in the Mercer Health 5K Challenge.

Whether you are an avid runner or someone looking for motivation to be more active, we look forward and encourage you to join us for the Challenge series! All runners and walkers are welcome to participate. Parents, please take advantage of the “Kids 14 and under running for free” and encourage them to participate in the series. Feel free to click on the Contact Us tab with questions you may have.