Manheim Chamber Plans 5K
Manheim is well-known for the magic that happens in the football stadium under the glow of Friday night lights every fall, but come summertime there is another big and bright event that draws people downtown: the Rock-N-Glow 5K. Organized by the Manheim Chamber of Commerce, this year's event, the seventh annual, is set to take place on Saturday, June 1, beginning in historic Market Square.
Festivities will start at 6 p.m. with a pre-race party featuring music provided by a disc jockey, along with food trucks and children's activities. New for this year, students from Manheim Central High School (MCHS) sports teams and the marching band will host activities including a soccer shoot, a basketball throw, face painting, and more. Plus, special surprise guests will take turns in a dunk tank.
Chamber coordinator Kelly Lauver is also excited about the addition of a Kids Color Fun Run. The half-mile run will step off at 7:30 p.m. Children ages 5 to 12 are welcome to sign up for the fun run in advance at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Manheim/RockNGlow5K.
Proceeds from the Kids Color Fun Run and student-led activities will support MCHS' involvement with the Herren Project, a nationwide initiative led by former NBA basketball player Chris Herren to educate students on the dangers of substance abuse and encourage positive life decisions. Herren spoke to students at MCHS last year about reaching his lifelong dream to play in the NBA only to lose it all to a struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. "We really want to continue that important conversation in our community," noted Lauver.
The 5K race will begin promptly at 9 p.m. Runners and walkers will once again be treated to live music and light shows along the race route. Organizers encourage every participant and spectator to add to the energetic atmosphere by dressing head to toe in clothes and gear that will glow.
The 5K course will include North Main Street, West Stiegel Street, South Hazel Street, East High Street, North Laurel Street, Park View Drive, Lake View Drive, Red Rose Drive, North Linden Street, and East Adele Avenue. Portions of those roads will be closed to vehicular traffic from approximately 8 p.m. to midnight.
Post-race festivities will include an awards presentation and more music, food, and dancing. Stiegel Glassworks 1976 hand-blown glass trophies will be awarded to the overall male and female winners, as well as to the male and female winners in several age brackets.
To register for the event, interested individuals may visit https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Manheim/RockNGlow5K. Glow-in-the-dark race T-shirts will be provided to participants while supplies last.
Race packets may be picked up from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, or from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 31, at Trinity Evangelical Church, 48 Market Square, Manheim. Participants may also pick up race packets or register for the event at the church from 5 to 8 p.m. on race day.
For more information, readers may visit http://www.manheimchamber.com or call 717-665-6330.
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