Temperatures are starting to rise, can the 26th annual Kiwanis Herald Sesame Place Classic be far off?
Well, if you look at the calendar somewhat positively, it’s only a month after the next – May 17 to be exact – and preparations are already being made for another spectacular event.
This year’s official T-shirt features Sesame Street character Grover, who is certain to be a hit for children of all ages.
According to sesameworkshop.org, Grover is a “Muppet character, a gregarious blue monster, who accomplishes his tasks with a childlike exuberance that has been making children laugh for more than four decades. He displays seemingly endless confidence, curiosity and perseverance.”
Over the years, the Sesame Place Classic 5K, one-mile and kids’ sprint has drawn thousands of runners. More than $600,000 has been raised for the Dick Dougherty Honorarium Fund, which provides financial assistance to college-bound seniors from 18 Bucks County high schools.
Members of the Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club, which along with the Bucks County Herald organize the event, believe a combination of the Grover T-shirt and a free, one-day admission ticket to Sesame Place (good through Sept. 30) will once again 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.
To register for the race and get sign-up information, visit www.sesameplaceclassic5k.com.
“With our weather taking a turn for the better, I’m excited for the 26th annual KHSPC race,” said race committee member Donna Milner. “I think Grover is ready to run, are you?”
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 15 (6 to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, May 16 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Registration also will be available on race morning at Sesame Place.
Over the past few years, the trio of races (5K, 1M, kids’ sprint) 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.
“Our Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Classic race is only 10 weeks away,” said Kiwanis Club official Dixie Rhodes. “I can hardly wait! Our race team has been working since September with the goal to make this event the best one ever. I am looking forward to seeing all the smiling faces of the kids interacting with the Sesame characters. That is always one of the highlights of the occasion.
“This year’s race shirt features a groovy Grover on a black background. Grover is a wonderful role model. He is loyal, courageous and environmentally conscious. Adults as well as the youngsters will leave the event with a feeling of accomplishment and camaraderie with newly found friends.”
Race committee’s Debbi Glass predicts the Classic will produce another memorable day.
“Wow, it will be race day before we know it!” Glass said. “I look forward to this great event every year. A lot of work goes into a project like this, and I am proud to see our members step up and pull it all together so that our community can be part of the excitement and the countdown to the Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Classic.”
Veteran race organizer Mary Berman believes the Grover shirt will heighten the excitement level.
“Join the community and be part of the excitement and the countdown to the Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Classic,” Berman said. “Get ready to show your spirit and love of the event by wearing your brand new Grover T-shirt. He will look stylish whether you’re running, cheering from the sidelines or just soaking in the energy. It’s going to be an unforgettable race day!”
>Race calendar
Saturday
Loony Leprechaun Trail Races 10K, Half-Marathon, 8:30 a.m./9 a.m., Tyler State Park, Newtown. Contact www.runsignup.com
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