Bucks 5K Series will put some zing in your spring

If Wednesday’s 70-something temperatures didn’t get you in the mood for spring, perhaps this will.
The ever-popular Bucks 5K Series, now in its 23rd year, is about to kick off next month with a new look or three.
Series director Dick Patterson announced that the annual BCRR Break-Fast event on April 8 has added a special 10K.
Also, the Cornerstone Fitness event on April 21 has been moved from Warrington to a flatter, faster course which travels on streets surrounding Doylestown Hospital.
The Bucks 5K Series will be timed by Compuscore of New Providence, N.J. and registration will be conducted by RunSignUp.com.
Here is the 2018 schedule:
March 17: Blaze of Glory 5K, Doylestown, 9:30 a.m.
April 8: BCRR Break-Fast 5K/10K, Doylestown 9 a.m.
April 21: Cornerstone Fitness 5K, Doylestown 9 a.m.
April 28: Run, Walk, Roll 5K, Doylestown, 9:30 a.m.
May 12: Central Bucks Family YMCA 5K, Doylestown, 5 p.m.
May 26: Doylestown 5K, Doylestown, 9:30 a.m.
June 2: Chalfont Challenge 5K, Chalfont, 8:30 a.m.
The Break-Fast run is always a big hit.
It includes a breakfast meal featuring free champagne or Founders Breakfast Stout, gourmet pancakes, long-sleeve technical shirts and drawstring race bags with logo. The race benefits “CB Cares.’’
Things kick off with the Blaze of Glory 5K on St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). The race is held at the Plumsteadville Firehouse.
The 2018 sponsorship list includes: Marvic Supply Company, Fred Beans Dealerships, Bucks County Orthodontics, Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists, Delaware Valley University, Bucks County Roadrunners, Univest, DII Computers, Backyard Marketing Group, Jarrett Vaughn Builders, Doylestown Health Urgent Care.
Over the years, thousands of runners have participated in the Series and more than a million dollars has been raised for various local charities since 2002.
“I’m delighted that nearly all of our corporate sponsors have returned again this year,’’ said Patterson. “It demonstrates the strong support we’ve developed based on our focus on improving fitness and benefiting our local non-profits.
“Several of our races were actually founded before the Series was established. For example, the Doylestown 5K will be celebrating its 26th anniversary with many special features planned before and after the race.’’
Last year’s Series drew several thousand participants. The total money raised over the past 15 years has exceeded the $1-million mark.
Some of the non-profit organizations which benefit from the Series include: Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company, Central Bucks Family YMCA, CB Cares, The Friends of the Heart Institute of Doylestown Hospital, Bucks County IU Education Foundation and Central Bucks Sertoma,
Discover Doylestown, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and Chalfont’s Parks and Trail Development Program.
For more information, go to www.bucks5kseries.com.

Race calendar:
Sunday
Bucks County Roadrunners Winter Series Staggered Start, 9 a.m., Tyler State Park, Newtown. Contact www.bcrrclub.com.

Sunday, May 20
20th annual Kiwanis-Sesame Place Classic 5K, one mile run, kids’ sprint, 7 a.m., Sesame Place, Middletown Township.

Contact:  www.sesameplaceclassic5K.com.