Local runners have had mid-September in Abington reserved on their calendar for two decades now.
For 20 years it was the Jeff Coombs Memorial 5K. With the Coombs family winding down the annual roadrace last year, there was an opening in the community calendar.
Enter the Abington COPES 5K.
Melissa Cook, the organization’s chairperson, said it made sense for the group to pick up the torch; its first 5K will take place Sunday, Sept. 18, at 9 a.m.
“It was a pretty good spot to jump into,” she said. “The community is used to having a roadrace then.”
September is also National Recovery Month.
The roadrace will follow the same gameplan as it has for years: gather at the Woodsdale Elementary School, start on Chestnut Street, run down Randolph Street, up Lincoln Street, around Hancock Street, and back to the Woodsdale.
Like with the previous iteration, the roadrace is open to the community, including those interested in just walking the course.
“It’s for anybody who wants to run or walk for a community cause,” Cook said.
Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers, as well as top finishers by age. Following the race will be a family-friendly event featuring a bouncyhouse, a DJ spinning tunes, and three food trucks.
The cost is $30 for adults, and $12 for children 12 and under. The first 200 people to sign up will receive a free race tshirt.
Funds raised will help Abington COPES programming, which includes grants to support guest speakers for Abington schools, scholarships for those moving into sober living housing, and other substance use prevention efforts.