LANSDALE-Runners from the North Penn area gathered Saturday, October 20th at Knapp Elementary School to prepare for Manna on Main St.’s 5K and 1Mile Fun Run. With the aid of the Lansdale Police Department, streets were closed and cleared for the run.
More than 300 hundred people showed up to participate in the event. Some came with their families and children, others with organizations or groups, or by themselves. This was a success and the community came out to get involved to help out in the organization’s cause to end hunger in the North Penn area. Around the parking lot of the school, tents with food and water were set up for the runners, who were eager to initiate both races. First, the 1Mile Fun Run was announced and started. Meanwhile, runners for the 5K prepared for their run. With the announcement of the ten minute countdown, participants, anxious to start, made their way to the starting line.
As the 5K began, the mass of runners dashed through the starting line and departed Knapp Elementary full of excitement and ready to take on the challenge of the race. Along the way, volunteers provided the runners with water and cheered them on as they went. As participants approached the finish line with a light of accomplishment, volunteers received them with applauses and refreshments. Besides snacks and fruits offered at the tents, participants were also given free pancakes in the cafeteria of the elementary school. After all of this excitement, a shopping cart challenge was also prepared after the 5K run, in which groups of about 4 people competed in a 50-yard relay dash and they would have to get as much food as they could for Manna on Main St.
For the closure of the event, awards were announced and prizes were given to the shopping cart challenge winner and the 5K winners of overall male and female runners, as well as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female runners in each age group.
Beyond any doubt, this event helped further bolster Manna on Main St’s mission and bring the community together. It also gave people in the area an opportunity to show their passion and dedication for running.
