Copyright berkshireeagle
The annual Harvest Run extravaganza is slated for Saturday at Berkshire Community College. This year's event features not only the regular community 5K run/walk, but a high school cross-country invitational and day full of activities. The 5K kicks things off with an 8:30 a.m. start time, with the invitational at 10:30. Both races start and finish on campus at BCC behind the Paterson Field House. There will also be a costume contest, cook-off competition, food sampling and kids' activities. Registration is ongoing at Berkshire Running Center. Students run free, while the fee for others is $25 before Oct. 31. Race-day registration is $30. Tech shirts are available to all registered runners. Proceeds benefit the BCC Nursing and Allied Health Programs. The Harvest Run course is grass and trail oriented. Soldier On 5K The Berkshire Running Foundation once again presents the Soldier On 5K. This year's event to benefit veterans is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9 with a 9 a.m. start time. The course will begin and finish at the American Legion Building at 258 North Street in Dalton. "The event supports the many at-risk veterans that Soldier On serves," reads a release. "This event not only provides financial support for veterans, but creates a larger community of support that goes far beyond the day of the 5K." Registration is ongoing online and at Berkshire Running Center. Students run free, while the fee for others is $30 until Nov. 1. The price increases to $35 until Nov. 8 and is $40 for day-of. There will be tech shirts and refreshments. Thankful 5K Registration has opened for the milestone 10th annual Thankful 5K. Sponsored by MountainOne, the Thanksgiving-day road race is launching a fundraising effort to support local food pantries and fuel assistance programs across the Berkshires. "With more community members facing food insecurity amid cuts to funding and services, MountainOne is once again partnering with the Berkshire Running Foundation to help meet the growing need," reads a release. "In honor of the event’s 10th anniversary, all participants — running in person or virtually — will have the option to create an individual fundraising page to benefit a local food pantry or fuel assistance fund of their choice. One hundred percent of participant-raised funds will go directly to those selected organizations. "The Berkshire Running Foundation also hosts a food drive as part of the event, collecting nonperishable items from participants. The effort has historically generated thousands of pounds of food for area pantries." The run/walk starts at 9 a.m. at Berkshire Community College. Registration is $35 through Nov. 1 and $40 on Nov. 2 through race day. Students run free, though hats are not included, but may be purchased at checkout. Participants can earn a pair of Thankful gloves by raising $150 in donations. Hats are included for the first 500 registrants. Nonperishable food donations can go to Berkshire Running Center by Nov. 26. Visit BerkshireRunningFoundation.com for more information.
