'Run For Reading' To Hit The Streets Of Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — This year's "Run for Reading" 5K Run and Walk will hit the streets of Newtown on Saturday, October 7, for the benefit of the Newtown Library Company, the oldest operating library in historic Bucks County.

The organizers told Patch that the 2023 race will begin and end at the Newtown Library Company, located at 114 E. Centre Avenue in Newtown Borough, and will kick off the 47th Annual Newtown Market Day hosted by the Newtown Historic Association.

“We are thrilled to host our Run For Reading 5K Run fundraising event this year to kick off Newtown Market Day and bring together our community,” Donna Gusty, the board president of The Newtown Library Company tells Patch. “Whether you choose to run, walk, become a sponsor or donate, your financial support of The Newtown Library Company enables us to continue to be a community resource for so many. As a nonprofit, we rely solely on our members, sponsors, and donors, and are incredibly grateful for our community’s support.”

The 5K is open to everyone, with discounted online pre-registration now available on Active.com. Pre-registration is $40 per individual. Individual race day registration is $45. T-shirts will be provided to the first 100 registrants and awards will be given to the top male and female runners under 64, and top male and female runners 65 and over.

Packet pick-up and in-person race day registration will open at 8 a.m. The event will kick-off with a yoga warm-up at 8:45 a.m. The race begins at 9 a.m., following a course through historic Newtown Borough and ending outside the library where booths and festivities will be located for Newtown Market Day.

The race is sponsored by The Newtown Athletic Club's Have A Heart Foundation, The First National Bank & Trust Co of Newtown, 75 Cabinets, Always Advancing, Holland Floor Covering, Keystone Answering Service, Newtown Rotary Club, and Steele’s Gulf Auto Repair.

Various sponsorship opportunities are still available and include runner registrations. To join the list of sponsors and for more information visit NewtownLibraryCompany.org . All proceeds from the 5K event benefit the Newtown Library Company.

The Newtown Library Company’s 5K Race is being held in conjunction with Newtown Market Day, which celebrates the colonial tradition of local farmers and homesteaders in Newtown bringing their crops, livestock, and homemade wares into town to sell to neighbors and townspeople.

The event has transformed throughout the years to feature high-quality fine artists, crafters, food artisans and a farmer’s market, and draws thousands of people from the Philadelphia area.

Market Day is a family-friendly celebration with colonial-era demonstrations, reenactments and activities. There will be two stage areas with live music and an eatery area with food from local restaurants, food trucks and artisan bites.