What better way to celebrate 30 years of serious Bucks 5K Series running with a few laughs?
And maybe raise some money to help keep the tradition going.
That’s the whole idea behind the 30th anniversary kickoff fundraiser this Saturday night at the Comedy Cabaret atop Poco’s Restaurant in Doylestown.
Next year’s Bucks 5K Series will mark three decades of hurrying around Bucks County roads in the spring time.
What started out as a handful of races and a couple hundred runners back in the 1990s has turned into a popular giant, with competitors coming from far and wide.
Current race director Dr. Johnny King-Marino showed up for Day 1 and he continues to be amazed at the popularity of the series.
“If there were 200 people in a race, it would have been a lot,” he recalled of the early days in a telephone interview. “Probably 150 on an average day.”
And now?
“Most of the races have at least 500,” he said.
“People like being part of the community of the event. And I think they know if they don’t train they’re going to get their butt kicked. You don’t have to be the fastest runner to do better but there’s extra points for showing up.”
A number of really fast runners have taken part in the Bucks 5K Series. Josh Izewski, who finished eighth in the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, holds the Series record with a stunning 14:56 a couple years back.
Meanwhile, a lot of runners just show up to have fun.
“There’s a lot of fun things happening,” King-Marino explained. “It’s sort of changed from all-out racing to a way to help raise money for charity. Some people want to go real fast and some just want to exercise. They come out and have a great time.”
No doubt, events such as the Bucks 5K Series have even provided incentive to get new runners off on the right foot.
There were an estimated total of about 3,000 runners taking part in the seven-race Series last year alone.
“You see runners just starting, it’s their first 5K and then you see seasoned runners,” King-Marino said. “And they’ve done the Series for the last 30 years. It’s quite a difference, it’s really neat.”
The Series has a number of long-time sponsors, some going all the way back to the ‘90s. The list includes: Advanced Spine & Sports Medicine, Fred Beans Automotive Group, Marvic Supply Company, Marshall Financial Group, Mind Your Design. In addition, support is supplied by Delaware Valley University, Jarrett Vaughn Builders, the Bucks County Roadrunners, Apex Benefit Group, Doylestown Air, Manhattan Bagel, Planet Smoothie and Sycamore Landscape.
“Marvic’s been there forever,” King-Marino pointed out. “Same with Fred Beans and my company, Advanced Spine.”
Some of the charities which benefit from the races include the Plumsteadville Fire Department, the Association for the Blind, cancer care and Yardley Parks and Recreation.
As for the comedy night event, the Comedy Cabaret has provided a very strong lineup, including Ahson Letif, Kevin Tiers, Tim Coniff (a runner himself) and Taylor Mason.
Tickets are only $35. Poco’s is located at 625 Main Street. Call there (215-348-3424) for information on how to purchase tickets. Race organizers are hoping to sell out all 160 seats.
King-Marino also expressed appreciation for his race staff, which includes Tracey Sawyer, Gert Freas and Scott Mallory.
The Bucks 5K Series’ future looks bright. And that’s because it has support from throughout the Bucks County community.
>Next year’s Bucks 5K Series schedule:
>Blaze of Glory 5K, Saturday, March 21.
>Be Kind 5K, Saturday, April 5.
>Bookin’ for Lookin’, Sunday, April 26.
>YMCA Bucks County Strong 5K, Saturday, May 9.
>Doylestown 5K, Saturday, May 23.
>Yardley 5K, Sunday, June 1.
>BCRR Let’s Be Frank 5K, Wednesday, June 11.
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>Race calendar
>Saturday
9/11 Heroes Run 5K, 8 a.m., Feasterville. Contact www.runsignup.com
>Sunday
Garden of Reflection 5K, 9 a.m., Lower Makefield. Contact www.runsignup.com
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