8th Annual Harvest 5K 

Harvest 5K raises $7000 for the benefit of Allentown Central Elementary School Students

Runners and walkers as young as 2 years old raced through the beautiful Lehigh Valley Parkway yesterday during Congregation Keneseth Israel’s 8th Annual Harvest 5K and raised about $7000 to benefit students of the Central Elementary School on Turner St, Allentown.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk welcomed the participants, ran the 5K and took home 2nd place overall. Overall winners won gift certificates from Keystone Running plus a unique handmade trivet created by Congregation President Eric Rappaport.

Everyone who crossed the finish line was a winner. In addition, top 3 male and female of each age group also won a tree of life pendant. Number of runners almost doubled from last year with 120 in the 5K (3.1 miles) while others in the 1-mile fun run. Runners from Florida, New Jersey, and PA who couldn’t be in the park yesterday also participated by running in their neighborhood at their own time (virtual race).

Harvest 5K this year will help the Allentown Central Elementary School sports teams and fund much-needed gymnasium equipment. Congregation Keneseth Israel thanks all volunteers, everyone who made a donation, and sponsors for making this happen. Sponsors this year include the Ulman family, Mark Pinsley and Family, Sunburst Property Management, Keystone Running, Sylvia Perkin Perpetual Charitable Trust, Doggie Sit and Stay, and Women of Keneseth Israel.

This is the fifth year that Harvest 5K benefits Central Elementary School. Last year, this race helped establish an art room, and in 2020 helped provide much-needed upgrades to the school playground.

Since its inception in 2015 the Harvest 5K has also benefitted several other critical non-profit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Literacy Center, Victory House of the Lehigh Valley, and The Fund to Benefit Children & Youth. This race has raised over $35,000 for the community.

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Photos by Donna Fischer.