When a very special anniversary race arrives, the only way to give it proper recognition is to come up with a unique, eye-catching T-shirt.
That’s why this year’s highly anticipated garb for the 25th annual Sesame Place Classic on Sunday, May 18 should be an alltime running crowd winner.
The shirt features Elmo, one of the most beloved characters of the popular Sesame Street show, and pays homage both to the Classic’s 25th and to the 45th anniversary of Sesame Place, the ever-popular theme park in Middletown Township.
Over the years, the Sesame Place Classic 5K, one-mile and kids’ sprint has drawn thousands of runners. More than $500,000 has been raised for the Dick Dougherty Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to college-bound seniors from 18 Bucks County high schools.
No doubt having Elmo on the shirt this year will be a big hit with the younger running crowd.
According to a biography posted on Wikipedia, Elmo is a Muppet character, a “furry red monster who speaks in a high-pitched falsetto voice and frequently refers to himself in the third person. He hosts the last full five-minute segment on TV’s Sesame Street, ‘Elmo’s World.’ ”
Members of the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club, which along with the Bucks County Herald organize the event, believe a combination of the Elmo T-shirt and a free, one-day admission ticket to Sesame Place (good through Sept. 30) will make this a race to remember.
In addition, runners in the 5K, one-mile and kids’ sprint events will get a special finisher’s medal created by Always Advancing of Newtown, a world-renowned manufacturer of awards, apparel and promotional products.
Keep in mind, due to the need to pre-order, T-shirts are only guaranteed to those who register before April 15. There may be shirts available after that date “while supplies last.”
“Wow! It’s an anniversary!” said Kiwanis member Debbi Glass. “Twenty-five years for the Sesame Place Classic and 45 for Sesame Place. Time to celebrate! Elmo is featured with his birthday hat and everyone is sure to be birthday savvy in this great shirt. Can’t wait to see all the celebration shirts’ parade at the race this year.”
To register for the race and get sign-up information, visit www.sesameplaceclassic5k.com.
Jill Saul of Kiwanis has been with the race committee for a number of years and says this year’s shirt is one of her favorites.
“The excitement is building as we get closer to race day,” she said. “This year’s race shirts are one of my favorites of all time. The joy of the day is something I look forward to each year. I just can’t wait for the big day.”
For those who register early, the shirt will be included in the pre-race packet, which can be picked up at Oxford Valley Mall (adjacent to Macy’s) on Friday, May 16 (6 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, May 17 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Registration also will be available on race morning at Sesame Place.
For the past two years, the three races combined have drawn an average of more than 800 runners.
The races get underway with the 1-mile start at 7 a.m., the 5K at 8 a.m. and the kids’ sprint at approximately 9 a.m. The 5K is run along the roads circling the Oxford Valley Mall. The circuit is flat, fast with only a few turns.
>Race calendar
>Saturday
Blaze of Glory 5K, 9 a.m., Plumsteadville. Contact www.bucks5series.com
Rock Your Socks 5K, 10 a.m., Cairn University, Langhorne. Contact www.runsignup.com
