The excitement level is always high when the Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic rolls around but this year the amount of emotion will be historic.
That’s because this Sunday’s event will be a celebration of the 25th annual set of races at the fun park in Langhorne.
Over the years, tens of thousands of runners from ages 2 to 92 have participated in one of the largest, most fun events in the Pennsylvania-New Jersey area and well beyond.
The good news: There’s still time to register for either the one-mile fun run (7 a.m.), the featured 5K (8 a.m.) and the Kids’ Sprint (approximately 8:45 a.m.). To sign up, just visit www.sesameplaceclassic5k.com to get on board and also learn more about the races.
As always, each participant receives a one-day free admission to the park, good through the end of the month of September.
Besides that, all entrants can purchase an additional five tickets to Sesame at a 50-percent discounted rate.
While weather forecasts can be fickle at best, early predictions for Sunday suggest a partly sunny day with highs in the upper 70s. Because the one-mile starts at 7 a.m. and the featured 5K at 8 a.m., the thermometer for racers should be at a comfortable reading somewhere near 60.
As for pick up of your race packet (which includes a great 25th anniversary shirt featuring Elmo), your best bet is to head on over to Oxford Valley Mall either Friday (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) or Saturday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Registration tables will be set up at Macy’s front court (inside OVM) both days.
In addition, registration and packet pickup will be available the morning of the race at the main check-in table (near the front entrance of Sesame Place) but the best way to avoid delays and waiting lines is to sign up early and get your packet in advance.
Race officials expect a field of about 700 runners but there should be plenty of open space to run on the roads surrounding Oxford Valley Mall.
Proceeds from the Classic benefit the Dick Dougherty Honorarium Awards. The Classic has raised more than $500,000 for Bucks County’s college-bound top scholar-athletes from 18 area high schools since the event’s inception in 1999.
The Classic is jointly organized by the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club and the Bucks County Herald.
Continuing a tradition which began many years ago, several Sesame characters will be on hand the morning of the big day to help celebrate all the activities, including a visit by the Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company Truck 21. Youngsters will have a chance to sit inside the truck behind the wheel of the big rig and get a sense of just how exciting this vehicle can be.
Last year, Kiwanis Club’s Jill Saul noted how much family fun can be experienced at an event like this.
“I can’t describe the rush of joy to see parents high-fiving their children who have crossed the finish line for the first time,” Saul said. “It’s such a fun time for everyone.”
One of the highlights of the post-race awards ceremony is the presentation of a special “Spirit Award” to the school or group which enters the most runners in the event.
Knowing the money raised by the race goes to a worthwhile cause only heightens the sense of good feelings on race day.
“The fact that it helps to sponsor scholar-athletes in their endeavors toward higher education adds to the rewards of the day,” Saul said. “The Sesame characters interacting with the children, the walkers talking and smiling and the sea of matching shirts makes for an exciting and wholesome event.”
All runners in the three competitions receive a special finisher’s medal.
Sesame Place always looks forward to host this red letter date on the racing calendar.
“This wonderful event has created countless opportunities for students and Sesame Place is honored to host,” said Sesame Place’s P.J. Schweizer. “The park is excited to give runners a day of Sesame Street-themed fun.”
>Race calendar
Sunday
25th annual Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic 5K, 7 a.m. (one-mile), 8 a.m. (5K), Langhorne. Contact www.sesameplaceclassic5k.com
