spirit of gettysburg

The Annual Spirit of Gettysburg 5K Run, 1-Mile Fun Run/Fitness Walk, & Kids' Runs is one of the largest road racing events held in South Central Pennsylvania. More than 1,200 runners and spectators will assemble at the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County on Saturday, July 8th, to participate in this exciting community event.

The Spirit of Gettysburg is about families participating together in healthy recreational activities. With a variety of events planned, every member of the family can participate. Childcare is available to all registered runners.

The 5K race is held on battlefield avenues in the historic Gettysburg National Military Park. From the firing of the musket at the race start to the period music performed before and after, a Civil War theme flows throughout the event.

The competitive element of the Spirit of Gettysburg draws various types of athlete. The 2005 race attracted some of the top distance runners in the Mid-Atlantic region, with Patrick Nthiwa of Kenya, leading the men with a time of 14:56 and Eunice Chepkirui, also of Kenya, leading the women with a time of 16:43.

And most importantly, the Spirit of Gettysburg serves a great cause. Proceeds from the event enable the YWCA to offer quality programming for our membership and for the greater community. The YWCA provides a wide variety of health and fitness programs, childcare and teen programs, educational forums and leadership-building opportunities as well as recreation and rehabilitation.