After 30 years, BCRR’s Bucks 5K Series continues to grow

Without question, competing in a club’s race series is only going to make you a quicker, more efficient runner.
Which is why, after 30 years, the Bucks County Roadrunners Club’s Bucks 5K Series remains one of the most successful ventures of its kind in Pennsylvania.
The seven-race schedule of 3.1-mile events throughout Bucks County draws thousands due to the promise of varied venues, efficient organizational work and the chance to test fitness levels in a fun environment.
And these races draw thousands of dollars for worthwhile local charities.
It’s easy to see why the numbers keep going up. Several of these events have drawn close to or more than 500 runners.
Competing with (or against, if you prefer) other runners helps an individual get ready for other bigger and perhaps more publicized races as the year goes along.
“It sort of sets up an instant accountability for you,” said series director Dr. Johnny King-Marino in a telephone interview. “People are looking at your times, you’re looking at your times. You run that first race in March and you’re hoping that your time is improving.
“You want to see progress, which I think is good. It helps. It’s a good test for progress. There are people who like the 5K as their premier event. I run marathons but to me the ultimate test of fitness is the 5K. It’s really a tough race.”
Quite true. It’s a real test of will because you’re going at sprint speed for 20, 25, 30 minutes and there’s simply not a moment to let your foot off the gas.
“There are people who are comfortable running marathons who can’t stand 5Ks,” Dr. King-Marino said. “Because they’re too hard. I think the general public has a lot of emphasis on the distance run. . .it’s a marathon, it’s important. Marathon runners who do 5Ks discover their anaerobic deficiencies. Once you’ve done a 5K, that pace is so hard that when you’re running a marathon, it’s a lot easier to get comfortable at that pace.”
After 30 years, runners in and around Bucks County keep coming back for more.
“There are dozens of 5Ks every weekend,” Dr. King-Marino said. “The quality of what we provide at each race I think is what has made it special and why it keeps growing.
“It’s very community-based. People know each other. They understand these races are for a cause. That community involvement is why it continues to grow.”
Kellie Shimer, who just won her fourth straight women’s overall title in the B5K Series, enjoys the camaraderie with fellow runners each year.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone of all ages to participate and each race race benefits a different cause,” she said. “Each individual has their own goals and everyone is at a different point in life with peaks and valleys. You get to meet a lot of kind people.”
She knows of what she speaks. She’s run a marathon in all 50 of the United States.
As for B5K, you can be sure she will be back to defend her title in 2027.
“I enjoy running and each year there are great runners,” she said. “Each race provides a different challenge. You never know who will be competing.”
The list of B5K Series sponsors includes Advance Spine & Sports Medicine, Marvic Supply Co., Doylestown Health/Penn Medicine, the Bucks County Roadrunners, Fred Beans Automotive Group, Mind Your Design, Delaware Valley University, Apex-Benefit Group, Dontech Optical Solutions, Doylestown Air, Highmark, Montgomery Podiatry, Jarrett Vaughn Builders, Sycamore Landscape, Nolan Painting, Hamburger Roofing, Planet Smoothie and Manhattan Bagel.

>2026 Bucks 5K Series medalists

MALE

>Overall: Pat Haneman.
>8-10: 1. Grayson Allen, 2. Charlie Corcoran, 3. Robert Raj.
>11-12: 1. Alric Brownell, 2. Avery Brownell, 3. Aaryan Palakollu.
>13-15: 1. Maximus Lynch, 2. Patrick Reigner, 3. Vihaan Reddy.
>16-18: No qualifiers.
>19-24: 1. Jacob Bright.
>25-29: 1. Carson Godown, 2. Duncan Shea.
>30-34: 1. TJ Toole, 2. Anthony Zaffino, 3. Andrew Rowley.
>35-39: 1. Pat Haneman, 2. Matthew Brown, 3. Chris Kimtis.
>40-44: 1. Mark Schopfer, 2. Prashanth Palakollu, 3. Matthew Walsh.
>45-49: 1. Justin Bartolucci, 2. Stan Brownell, 3. Brad Kube.
>50-54: 1. Federico Betti, 2. Andrew Franceschini, 3. Alessandro Pocai.
>55-59: 1. Vitaly Belotserkovsky, 2. Danny Parks, 3. Tony Pereira.
>60-64: 1. Andrew Bright, 2. Scott Lowry, 3. Jon Keagy.
>65-69: 1. Ray Willhoft, 2. Mark Rollo, 3. Brian Small.
>70-74: 1. Robert Boland, 2. Terry Permar, 3. John Hibbs, 4. Steve Cickay.
>75-79: 1. David Broadbent, 2. Tom Fuoco, 3. Ward King.
>80+ 1. John DeLong, 2. Daniel Carroll.

FEMALE

Overall: Kellie Shimer.
>8-10: 1. Aarna Palakollu, 2. Juliette Allen, 3. Anna Permar.
>11-12: 1. Zara Bartolucci, 2. Praanya Palakollu, 3. Kaylee Walsh.
>13-15: 1. Corrine MacNair, 2. Mira Stuhltrager.
>16-18: No qualifiers.
>19-24: 1. Meredith Marsteller.
>25-29: 1. Kira Bochard, 2. Tate Dawson, 3. Carolyn Durante.
>30-34: 1. Dana Simpson, 2. Katie Braun.
>35-39: 1. Justine Drake, 2. Jenna Lloyd, 3. Steph Rivadeneyra.
>40-44: 1. Kellie Shimer, 2. Karen Fey, 3. Dana Filter, 4. Devon Fierman.
>45-49: 1. Jeny Fingerod, 2. Lyndsey MacNair, 3. Michelle Sauvigne.
>50-54: 1. Elayne Lenway, 2. Megan Wind-Rotolo, 3. Alaina Tweddale.
>55-59: 1. Anabelle Broadbent, 2. Mary Severn, 3. Sheryl Fitzgerald.
>60-64: 1. Tammy Ebersole, 2. Joanne McGinty, 3. Vini Knauf.
>65-69: 1. Gert Freas, 2. Judy Dixon, 3. Valerie Maugle, 4. Kathy Hahn.
>70-74: 1. Amy Bryant, 2. Julia Kennedy, 3. Emily Grace.
>75-79: 1. Danielle Millet, 2. Ruth King, 3. Sharnon Schanbacker.
>80+: No qualifiers.

Congratulations to all.

>Race calendar

Friday, June 19

New Hope Twilight 5K, 7:30 p.m., New Hope-Solebury High School track, New Hope. Contact www.runsignup.com