PITTSFIELD, Mass. – The Berkshire Running Foundation is eager to kick off the fundraising efforts surrounding the 9th annual MountainOne Thankful 5K to be held on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. at Berkshire Community College. 

 

This year the Thankful 5K expands to include walkers, virtual participants and a new training program for the community.

 

The annual event is a fundraiser hosted by the Foundation to raise much needed funds for the South Community Food Pantry and the local Fuel Assistance Fund.

 

The first 500 participants who register for the event receive a Thankful hat, with all the proceeds going to the designated causes. More than 400 participants registered for the 2023 event and race producers are hoping to surpass that number this year.

 

Each participant also has the option to create an individual or team fundraising page to raise even more money that will immediately go to help fight food insecurity here in our community.  Prizes will go to those individuals and teams that raise the most in their fundraising efforts.

 

“We are thrilled to be hosting this holiday tradition again with the support of MountainOne,” Berkshire Running Executive Director Shiobbean Lemme said. “Our mission is to improve the neighborhoods in which we live through our running events. This specific 5K has become quite the family tradition for so many in the Berkshires and beyond. It is a great way to be able to provide for those in need on a day where many of us have more than most. We have implemented free student entry to all our events for grades K-12.  This makes these events wallet friendly for families to participate in together. “

 

Walkers are encouraged to join all the Berkshire Running Foundation 5K events as well. In addition to the in-person event, this year participants can also register to run or walk their 5K virtually, submitting results and receiving their own Thankful hats along with their registrations.

 

Berkshire Running Center will also be hosting a training program for the Thankful 5K. Sunday mornings, there will be a two-part session which includes an instruction based 45-minute walk or run led by race directors Kent and Shiobbean Lemme to be followed by a 45-minute stretch yoga session. The training is free for Berkshire Running Center members or for $10 as a drop in rate.  Participants who attend four of the six sessions will receive a $25 gift card.  Registration in online at www.berkshirerunningcenter.com/classes or contact info@berkshirerunningcenter.com

 

Participants are also encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to bib pick up, to the race start the morning of the event or are invited to drop off donations to the Berkshire Running Center located in the Allendale Shopping Center Underground, 5 Cheshire Road in Pittsfield.

 

 Last year more than 3,000 lbs of food was donated to the food pantry on the Monday following the race.

 

“As impressive of a donation of the food was as a volunteer at the pantry, I was aware that it was all gone within the week,” Lemme said. “There is an increasing crisis of food insecurity growing in the community and we are excited to help make a dent in that need.”

 

Registration can be found online at berkshirerun.org for the event and the Foundation is always looking for sponsors and volunteers to help keep these events happening in the Berkshires.  

 

Contact Shiobbean Lemme at director@berkshirerun.org.