Reading Hospital Road Run, hosted by The Friends of Reading Hospital, will take place Sunday, October 17. The 2021 event will consist of a Half Marathon, 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, and the "Go-the-Distance" virtual challenge. The start and finish of the course will be on Seventh Avenue at Reading Hospital. The half marathon will begin at 8 a.m., the 5K at 8:30 a.m., and the 1-mile fun run/walk gets under way at 8:10 a.m. Event registration closes on Saturday, October 16 at 11:59 p.m. and will not be available at the event. Registration is open online now at RhRoadRun.com.
This Go-the-Distance October Challenge is a virtual challenge to run or walk 31, 62, or 131 miles between October 1 and October 31, 2021. Registration will remain open for the Go-the-Distance Challenge until the end of the month.
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.
"Reading Hospital is grateful to The Friends for hosting another great community event," said Therese Sucher, Interim President and CEO at Reading Hospital and Chief Operating Officer at Tower Health. "With their partnership we are able to provide unique programs and services to our patients, community, and team members to support their health and wellness."
This year, The Friends of Reading Hospital, an association of dedicated community leaders, is celebrating its 131st Anniversary. The Friends of Reading Hospital focuses on raising funds through events like Reading Hospital Road Run to support and enhance Reading Hospital's promise of "Advancing Health. Transforming Lives." By funding health and wellness programs, grants, and initiatives, The Friends have made a powerful and sustainable impact on the hospital, its patients, and the surrounding community, and are resolved to continue this support for years to come.
Due to COVID-19, runners and spectators are required to wear masks for check-in and bib pickup. Participants do not need to wear masks while running, but should always keep their mask with them and wear masks when gathered at the start line, during awards ceremony, or other activities where social distancing is not possible.
Beth Kohl, 2021 Reading Hospital Road Run Chair and The Friends of Reading Hospital Board Member, said, "We are so grateful that we are able to host Road Run in person this year. We have beautiful, scenic courses for runners and look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday."
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, Tower Health Transplant Institute, 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 and providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for five consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.