FiveKB1

5K Celebration

Confidence through
Accomplishment

Each season comes to an end with a celebratory 5K. This closing event gives program participants of all abilities a tangible sense of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line instills confidence through completion and is a joyful moment program participants always remember! Everyone in our program receives a commemorative medal to celebrate this incredible achievement.

5K Celebration

Confidence through
Accomplishment
Hero stars right
Girls on the Run participant high fives running buddy at 5K
Hero stars right
Girls on the Run participant high fives running buddy at 5K
Two Girls on the Run participants smile while showing off 5K medals

5K Event Details

Event
Capital Area 5K
Date
Sunday, November 22, 2026
Location

Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC)

One HACC Drive

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Time

8:00 a.m. - Girls on the Run Friends & Family Zone opens
9:30 a.m. - Girls on the Run 5K start

Price

Registration Type Price
September 18 - 5K Online Registration Opens $30
October 19 - register by this date for a guaranteed GOTR 5K shirt -
October 31 - Spirit on the Course sign closes at 9:00 am $20
November 4 - Online 5K Registration Closes at 9:00 am -
Day of Event Registration $35

Registration increases to $35 on the day of the event. Bring your phone to register on the day of the event. 

The 5K will not be chip timed.

NOTE: Program participants have already been registered for the 5K and DO NOT need to register.

5K Registration

Let this information guide you for the big event! 

  • Online 5K Registration is open from September 18 to November 5 (closes at 9:00 AM). After the online registration closes, individuals will only have the option to register in person on the day of the event. Registration fee increases to $35.
  • Interested in ordering a Spirit on the Course sign to cheer your GOTR girl on? CLICK HERE to order by October 31. 
  • Friends & Family Zone opens at 8:00 am. The entrance to the venue will close at 9:10 am to prepare for the start of the 5K. Warm-up and announcements start at 9:15 am with the 5K start at 9:30 am. 
  • Free parking is available. See map for Accessible Parking location at the event. Individuals must have an accessible placard to park in this area. If you do not have a placard but need to park close due to health reasons, please contact erin.mathews@gotrmidstatepa.org for a pass.
  • See our 5K Course map here.
  • CHECK BACK SOON for our updated 5K Event Guide. It will include all the information you need to know about 5K day! 

  • IMPORTANT 5K INFO

    **Entrance to HACC will close for the event at 9:10 am for the start of the 5K and will reopen once all participants are safely on campus (approx. 9:45/50 am). If you are running late, you will be diverted to park at the Farm Show. Tell the parking attendants that you are with the Girls on the Run event and they will not charge for parking!

Volunteers are what make our end of season 5K celebration possible!

Interested in volunteering at our upcoming 5K event? Register today! 

We need volunteers for the following activities to ensure our event is a success:

  • Friends & Family Zone Activities 
  • Cheer Stations 
  • Course Crew
  • Spirit Runners & Walkers
  • Water Station
  • Course Clean Up
  • And SO MUCH MORE!

Do you have a group of co-workers, friends or family that want to join us? We love working with volunteer groups! Please email erin.mathews@gotrmidstatepa.org to secure a spot for your group.

5K Volunteer Form

We are excited for you to be a Girls on the Run 5K Volunteer. This section shares additional information about our volunteer roles. REMINDER - all volunteers are required to complete the "5K Volunteer Form" in the section above. Click here to view this season's 5K volunteer flyer.

 

Friends & Family Zone Activities

Our Friends and Family Zone is filled with fun activities for participants and their families before the 5K. These stations allow guests to:

  • Get creative by making posters, headbands and bracelets
  • Customize their look with temporary tattoos, face jewels and bling for their race bib
  • Swing by the merchandise booth for swag to commemorate the season
  • And cap off the morning with a stop at the photo booth

There's something for everyone in the Friends and Family Zone and our volunteers ensure that every guest can join in the fun!

 

Registration

Assisting with Registration ensures that family and friends can get signed up for the 5K. Our goal is to keep the line moving quickly and efficiently so that guests can get back to what's important - making memories with their GOTR girl!

 

Cheer Station

Cheer Station Volunteers are positioned along the course to cheer on and motivate participants. Volunteering with a group? Feel free to choose a theme, play music and make it your own! Cheer gear is also provided.

 

Course Crew

Course Crew volunteers are stationed at key points along the course to cheer on participants, provide encouragement, and ensure everyone stays on the correct route. Similar to a Cheer Station, but perfect for individuals and smaller groups.

 

Spirit Runners 

Spirit Runners bring the magic to the course in Girls on the Run capes, running or walking alongside participants while cheering them on and celebrating their strength every step of the way. Spirit Runner volunteers are the last on the course ensuring that every participant crosses the finish line safely while surrounded by joy and encouragement.

 

Water Station

Water Station Volunteers keep participants energized and hydrated by setting up tables, filling cups, and handing out water with enthusiastic cheers and support near the halfway point of the 5K route. 

 

Course Clean Up

Course Clean-Up Volunteers help wrap up the celebration by collecting Spirit on the Course signs, cones, and directional signage from the 5K course. 

 

GROUPS

Many of our 5K volunteer opportunities are perfect for groups! No matter your group size, we've got an opportunity that's right for you! If you're looking for a fun team-building activity, reach out to Erin at erin.mathews@gotrmidstatepa.org to learn more!

Volunteers cheer at a Girls on the Run 5K

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The course for a 5K is 3.1 miles. 

As a reminder, this is a fun, celebratory event for our participants and not a competitive race. While our fastest 5K participants will complete the course in 23-25 minutes, most cross the finish line in 30-60 minutes. Everyone who participates is encouraged to walk, roll, push, run or skip at their happy pace!

First, we understand that life happens, and circumstance might make it impossible to attend.

 

We strongly encourage that all participants attend and complete the 5K, as it is the goal that teams are preparing for all season long! It’s the ultimate opportunity to build confidence through accomplishment. Remember, this is the first 5K event for many – including coaches, participants, friends and family members. We are in it together!

For safety reasons, every participant must wear a race bib (provided by the council). Our council ensures every participant has a running buddy, and only critical 5K volunteers have access to confidential information.

To ensure every participant crosses the finish line, we monitor the course and conduct head counts. Our council has a safety plan in place, which trains staff and volunteers on how to respond during an emergency or incident.

Yes. Girls on the Run 5K events are for everyone! All participants can walk, run, push or roll safely and at their own happy pace. Designated parking spots are available.

A 5K Buddy is an individual 16 or older, designated by the council or by the parent/guardian to complete the 5K alongside a program participant during the 5K event, for the entire duration of the course.

Yes! This is encouraged! This is a great way to accomplish a goal together. 

Absolutely! Every registered participant who completes the 5K will receive a medal.

Yes! Family and friends of program participants can participate in the event, but must register. We do not encourage community members to participate due the size of the 5K already.

A site-based 5K means the 5K course will take place at the site where an individual team practiced throughout the season. 

This means our end-of-season 5K is an external 5K, or a community 5K that is developed, organized and managed by an organization outside of Girls on the Run. Our council has chosen to participate in this event as our culminating 5K.

A virtual 5K is still a 3.1-mile event, but is completed from a location that you choose. That could be in your neighborhood, at a nearby park, on a trail or even on a treadmill! It’s your 5K and you can run, walk, roll or push it at your own happy pace! 

We highly encourage 5K Buddies, even for the virtual 5K.

Yes. All 5K registration forms include liability waivers.

Yes! Our Council is selling merchandise to support our program! Be sure to look for our merchandise table to commemorate this memorable event.

Yes! As this is the highlight of the season, there will be flots of activity stations and more! Of course, we’ll have merchandise for sale, too!

The price will increase for individuals registering on the day of the event. 

5K Email Us

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5K or a future event?

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