Runners often repay the sport they love by serving as volunteers at local races or organized training activities.
Then you have someone such as Dr. Johnny King-Marino, who not only directs two of Bucks County’s most prominent organizations for runners of good health but also helps mend those who aren’t so fortunate.
It’s a labor of love for one of the area’s top competitors over the years.
Or, to put it in his words, a way of giving back.
As a chiropractic specialist in Doylestown, he’s in a position to assist many people who need treatment for a variety of running-related issues.
“I’ve always believed in giving back,” King-Marino said during a recent interview at his Advanced Spine & Sports Medicine practice. “So I think it’s important to give back. I’ve been very lucky. I’ve had a great practice. Runners from all over come here because of what we do. I feel like giving back to the running community for all they’ve done for me. It’s very important.”
Dr. King-Marino serves as president of the Bucks County Roadrunners Club and also is director of the Bucks 5K Series, which is scheduled to begin later this month.
This year’s Bucks 5K Series promises to be an exciting one because the Yardley 5K has been added to the traditional seven-race calendar.
“We only had six races last year,” Dr. King-Marino explained. “I wanted to add a seventh. And I wanted to expand our region a little bit. It’s the Bucks 5K Series, not the Doylestown 5K Series. We were at the point where we were stepping over each other.
“So in terms of getting a broader series sponsorship, more exposure … the Yardley race has been around a while. It’s not a super big race but they’re thrilled.”
Yardley officials are hoping to draw between 300 and 400 runners to their race.
Adding to the excitement for the Bucks 5K Series this year is the return of a free, personalized jacket to any runner who either signs up to run (or volunteer for) all seven races.
Progressive planners such as Dr. King-Marino are always thinking outside the box.
“We’re way ahead of registration (pace) from last year,” he said. “What we learned, to compete with some of the races, there has to be some pizzazz to get people there. I’ve been encouraging the races to provide more benefits. There’s so much competition.
“We have finisher medals, colorful shirts. We want to make sure the awards are decent. Now racing is more of an experience, more user-friendly. We’ve added a phone sign-up. There’s no more paperwork. You don’t have to fill out registration papers.”
While all this organization work is going on, Dr. King-Marino still finds time to both train and race. He’s a former 2:37 marathoner (he won the 2002 North Central Marathon in Maryland with that time) and also has a best of 1:13 for the half.
Oh, and did we mention he’s done eight Ironman Triathlons (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, 26.2-mile run), including two at the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
King-Marino, now 64, was born in Williamstown, N.J., and attended college in Cleveland, Ohio. He served notice early on he would be a force to be reckoned with.
While his recent focus has been on the Bucks 5K Series, the good doctor also wants to make sure BCRR is running smoothly.
The Roadrunners are coming off one of their best Winter Series turnouts in the 47-year history of the popular slate.
As for this year’s Bucks 5K Series, things appear to be going smoothly.
“We want to make sure that the sport stays pure,” he said. “We’re chip timing everybody. We’re doing the age-graded masters thing. So everybody gets a shot at things.”
He gets able help from veterans such as Tracey Sawyer, Gert Frias and Nancy Smith.
“The courses are all marked, they’re all certified by USA Track and Field,” King-Marino said.
One would expect nothing less from a guy who’s a running perfectionist.
The secret, as the saying goes, is all in the details.
The 2025 Bucks 5K Series race schedule:
– Saturday, March 22: Blaze of Glory 5K, 9 a.m., Plumsteadville.
– Saturday, April 5: Be Kind 5K, 10 a.m., Buckingham.
– Sunday, April 27: Bookin’ for Lookin’ 5K/10K, 8:30 a.m., Newtown.
– Saturday, May 10: YMCA Bucks County Strong 5K, 9 a.m., Doylestown.
– Saturday, May 24: Doylestown 5K, 9:30 a.m., Doylestown.
– Sunday, June 1: Yardley 5K, 8:30 a.m., Yardley.
– Wednesday, June 11: Let’s Be Frank 5K, 7 p.m., Doylestown.
Race calendar
Saturday
– Shamrock Shuffle 5K, 9 a.m., Newtown. Contact www.runningintheusa.com.
