This year’s Homecoming and Family Weekend will reach its finish line with a finish line.
A 5K race returns to Alvernia at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, capping off this year’s festivities. The campus had been home to the Beat Beethoven 5K/10K for many years pre-COVID.
“I was looking to start a new tradition that can bring our campus community together while promoting physical and mental well-being,” said Felicia Nelson, associate director of student activities. “I felt the Pack Dash 5K was perfect to foster a sense of community between our students, their families and alumni.”
The Pack Dash 5K features a course that starts and ends at the Flynn PLEX. In between, racers will tour the Hill Campus and neighboring Angelica Park and Berks Nature. Proceeds will benefit the Hope Fund and Clare's Cupboard.
“I wanted to continue the Bernardine Franciscan tradition of serving students as well as our community in need,” Nelson said. “The Hope Fund provides funding to our students facing financial hardships by providing scholarships, educational resources, groceries/meals and emergency aid. The Turkey Drive is in its 27th year providing fixings for a Thanksgiving meal for our neighbors in downtown Reading. Both of these causes really resonated with me and I wanted to do my part to help support these campus initiatives.”
Early registration for the race, which costs $25 and guarantees a T-shirt, runs through Sept. 19. After that, the entrance fee rises to $30, with T-shirts available on the day of the event while supplies last.
