This year's Reading Hospital Road Run will be held on Sunday, October 14, taking participants through a scenic course around Mount Penn in Lower Alsace Township and into the city of Reading. The event will feature a half marathon, a 5K, and a free community 1-mile fun run/walk. All proceeds from the Road Run benefit projects funded by The Friends of Reading Hospital, including HeartSAFE Berks County.
The half marathon will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the William Penn Memorial Fire Tower, and the 5K will start at the same location at 8:35 a.m. The 1-mile fun run/walk gets underway at 8:15 a.m. at the Santander Arena. Course roadways will be closed from 7 a.m. until about noon.
"The Friends of Reading Hospital are excited to host this one-of-a-kind run that showcases the beauty of our community, from mountain roads to downtown, while raising funds for important local health and wellness initiatives. We are grateful for our many sponsors and community partners that make this event possible, including the 2018 Tower Sponsor, Diamond Credit Union," said Beth Auman, 2018 Reading Hospital Road Run Chair.
The race will feature instant result timing, and live music on the course. Participants will receive high-tech wicking shirts with registration. All half marathon finishers will receive a finisher's medal, and cash prizes will be given to the top three male and female finishers of the half marathon and the 5K. Additional prizes will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each age group and team division of both races. All 1-mile participants receive a finisher's ribbon. The award ceremony for 5K finishers will take place around 9:30 a.m. at the Santander Arena, with the award ceremony for the half marathon to follow around 11 a.m.
Participants should be advised that road closures will begin at 7 a.m., there is no parking at the Fire Tower, and all 5K and half marathon runners must take the race shuttle to the start line. Shuttles will begin loading at 7:30 a.m. on Penn Street in front of the Santander Arena, and all runners must be on a shuttle by 8:10 a.m. Free parking is available in all Reading Parking Authority garages for participants and spectators until noon.
Registration is open online now and will be available until the morning of the race. Participants are encouraged to sign up early to take advantage of lower registration costs and to ensure they receive a race shirt. Please visit www.rhroadrun.com for more information and registration.
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 714-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 service lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.