Reading Hospital Road Run, hosted by The Friends of Reading Hospital (The Friends), will take place Sunday, October 16. The 2022 event will include a Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and a 5K (3.1 miles), with both routes covering primarily fast and scenic roadways around the Reading Hospital in West Reading and surrounding neighborhoods.
This year, proceeds from Road Run will help fund the Warm Handoff program at the Reading Hospital Emergency Department. The Warm Handoff program is a partnership between Reading Hospital Emergency Department (ED) and the Council On Chemical Abuse (COCA). The program provides Certified Recovery Staff in the ED 24 hours a day. Individuals who come to the Emergency Department suffering from the effects of opioid or other substance abuse meet with a recovery support specialist who can arrange for immediate admission to a detox or drug and alcohol treatment program, which can save lives and help people get on the road to recovery.
“Road Run is a beloved event in the community,” said Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital President and CEO. “I am looking forward to running with the community this weekend and appreciate knowing the funds from Road Run will help ensure patients in our Emergency Department will have access to life-saving care. I thank The Friends for their ongoing support to the hospital, our patients, and the community.”
The Friends of Reading Hospital is an association of dedicated community leaders that focuses on raising funds through events like Reading Hospital Road Run to support and enhance Reading Hospital's promise of "Advancing Health. Transforming Lives." By funding health and wellness programs, grants, and initiatives, The Friends have made a powerful and sustainable impact on the hospital, its patients, and the surrounding community, and are resolved to continue this support for years to come.
Beth Kohl, 2022 Reading Hospital Road Run Committee Chair and The Friends of Reading Hospital board member added, “The Friends of Reading Hospital appreciate the support from the community and team members at Reading Hospital who help make Road Run a success. Events like this one help The Friends provide support to important programs and services the hospital provides to patients and the community. We look forward to welcoming runners and spectators for a great run this weekend.”
Registration is available online at RhRoadRun.com until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. All pre-registered runners will receive a short-sleeve wicking race shirt, while supplies last. Half marathon finishers will receive a custom medal, and both events offer five-year age group awards and cash prizes for top finishers, to be presented during a post-race celebration.
Reading Hospital will follow the COVID-19 safety guidance from the CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health in effect at the time of the race.
Media is invited to attend the event. Photos are available upon request.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years (and moving up to America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022) and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.