The second annual Mount Bethel Cemetery Memorial 5K will be held on Saturday, May 27. The walk/run will take place on the grounds of Columbia High School, 901 Ironville Pike, with proceeds benefiting the historic Mount Bethel Cemetery, located on Locust Street in Columbia. Race-day registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the school's gym, and the 5K will step off at 8:30 a.m. It will be held rain or shine.

The event is named to honor the holiday it precedes, as well as to memorialize those interred at Mount Bethel Cemetery, explained Kathy Hohenadel, a member of the Mount Bethel Cemetery Board of Directors and a member of the Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery. She emphasized that the event will feature plenty of parking, medals for winners in multiple brackets and a spectator-friendly course.

Hohenadel remarked that the course was designed by an avid runner and former cross-country coach who understands the importance of blending a bit of a challenge into a course that a novice will also enjoy. The course includes only a small portion of the hill leading up to Columbia High School, with a mixed-terrain route featuring a scenic view of the Susquehanna River. Due to the terrain, the course does not accommodate wheelchairs.

Professional timing services will be provided by Pretzel City Sports, and awards will be presented to the overall male and female finishers, along with the male master and female master. The first three male and first three female finishers in 13 age brackets will be awarded race medals as well. Race shirts will be available while supplies last.

Hohenadel stated that the event is made possible by the sponsorships of multiple businesses and organizations, including Columbia-Middletown Elks Lodge 1074, Foresters of America 235, Columbia American Legion Post 372, Kleen-Rite Corp. and Nikolaus & Hohenadel. Registration forms and more information may be found at https://mtbethelcemetery.org. For additional information, call 717-681-6768. Organizers request that no cleats and no pets be present on the course.