Race Details
COVID Precautions
The Optimist Club of Kutztown has adopted a policy of personal choice on masks, social distancing, and vaccination as our protocol. . As a Club we will not ask for vaccination status and we will leave it up to each participant or guest to make their own personal choice on the use of masks and social distancing. Making this statement will provide any potential member, guest, participant, or event goer the knowledge of what to expect and choose based on their personnel beliefs.
Bob Focht 10 Mile Run
The Bob Focht Memorial 10 mile course is a scenic out and back road loop with time splits at the 5 mile mark. The course has varied elevations with uphill climbs at 1, 2, 8 and 9 miles and downhill at 3.3 miles.
The 10 mile course will close after 2 hours and 30 minutes.
This race starts at 9:00am
Sally Miksiewicz 5k Run
The Sally Miksiewicz 5k course is a mostly flat out and back course with an uphill climb at the beginning of the run heading toward the KU Campus.
This race starts at 9:10am
Optimist Club 2 Mile Walk
This is a leisurely course for participants of all ages and abilities.
This walk starts at 9:15am
Steve O’Neil Memorial School District Challenge
We are once again looking for Berks/Lehigh County school district teams to compete in
our Steve O’Neil Memorial School District Challenge !! The winning team will receive a traveling trophy which they can proudly display until next year’s race and a minimum $1000 scholarship check, sponsored by the Steve O’Neil Memorial Fund, for the student of their choice.
- Teams must be comprised of at least 4(four) district employees and be
co-ed. Districts may have more than one team
- Team rosters must be submitted to Chris Sobolewski prior to race day at audad@ptd.net
- Winner will be the team with the lowest average finish
- Team members can run either the 10 mile or 5K race to be included
- In the event of a tie, the team with the most 10-mile finishers will prevail
- Team members must register individually via the online registration link at Pretzelcitysports.com
Information
Start/Finish
The races start and end on College Blvd in front of the Kutztown Fairgrounds and Kutztown University Lot 1 parking area
Race Day Registration / Packet Pickup
Race Day Registration will be available on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 7-8:30am at Beltzner Hall.
Runner numbers and packets will be available for pickup the morning of the race at Beltzner Hall.
Cancellation
Races are run rain or shine with the race director having the right and responsibility to cancel the day's events due to extreme and dangerous conditions. In such instances, information will be displayed on media outlets such as this website and FaceBook.
There are no refunds in the event of cancellation.
Safety
For the safety of all runners no scooters, in-line skates or animals are permitted on the course. As an additional safety precaution jogging strollers and headphones are not recommended to be used for the 10 mile and 5k races.
Water Stops
Water stations will be set up on both the 10 mile and 5k courses.
10 mile course at the 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9 mile markers
5k course at the 1 1/2 mile maker
Awards
Post race amenities and awards ceremony at Beltzner Hall.
Gift Certificates to overall and master (over age 40) male and female winners of the 5K and 10 mile race
Medals will be awarded to the first, second, and third place finishers in the following age groups for both races: 17 & under, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+, oldest and youngest finisher
Directions
From Allentown/NJ
I78/U.S. 22 West to PA 737 South. Follow 737 five miles to first light. Right on Main Street. Right onto North Whiteoak Street.(2nd light). Proceed about 4 blocks. Left into Kutztown
Fairgrounds parking area and follow signs on foot to Beltzner Hall.
From Philadelphia
I-476 (NE Extension of PA Turnpike) to Lehigh Valley exit (exit 56). Follow directions from Allentown/NJ. above.
From Harrisburg
I-81 North to I-78 East. Exit at PA 737 South. Follow directions from Allentown/NJ above.
From Lancaster / Reading
U.S.222 North to Kutztown Exit. Turn left on North Whiteoak Street (4th light) Proceed about 4 blocks. Left into Kutztown Fairgrounds. Follow parking signs.