Solid Rock Youth Ministries will hold its annual Solid Rock 5K run on the Enola Low-Grade Trail on Saturday, Aug. 1, in Quarryville. The event is one of the organization's three big annual fundraisers.

This year's rendition of the run will be the ninth annual 5K. The entrance to the trail is located at 301 E. State St., Quarryville. Carpooling is encouraged, and the race will be held rain or shine.

"The 5K is just such a fun event," said Raeanne Nixon, executive director at Solid Rock Youth Ministries. "You can see our community coming together and having a good time."

Solid Rock Youth Ministries serves students in the Solanco area during the school year and over the summer by providing programs, activities and family events. Solid Rock served more than 400 students last year.

"My favorite thing is just being with the kids," said Julie Spangler, who coordinates the event. "Getting to know them and hearing some of their stories ... you think it's the littlest things, but then when you see their smile, you realize that those relationships mean a lot to them."

Registration forms are available at http://www.solidrockquarryville.com/run. Forms can be completed online or mailed to Solid Rock Youth Ministries at P.O. Box 682, Quarryville. Teams of five or more people can save money on the entry fee. Preregistration will close at midnight on Wednesday, July 29. Registration must be received by Thursday, July 16, to be guaranteed a T-shirt and race bag. Registrations can be made as late as the morning of the race, but the race is limited to 300 participants.

Packets may be picked up on Friday, July 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Faith Church, 611 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville, or on the day of the race starting at 7 a.m. There will be a kids' half-mile fun run at 8 a.m. for children age 10 and under. Finishers will receive goodie bags and medals.

The 5K will start at 8:30 a.m. The overall first-place male and female finishers will receive a medal and cash prize; the top three male and female finishers in eight different age brackets will receive a medal.

The age groups are as follows: 14 and under, 15 to 19, 20 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70 and older. Pretzel City Sports will provide official timing.

Drink stations will be available throughout the course. Donuts from The Wandering Donut food truck will be available, along with the Retreat for Coffee truck.

Last year's race drew 238 runners. Solid Rock hopes that this year's event, sponsored by Steel Systems Installation, will raise at least $36,000.

Funds raised from the event will strictly go toward Solid Rock's operating expenses, although the ministry is also amid a capital campaign for its new physical location.

The planned location of 104 E. State St., Quarryville, was the first floor of an old car garage. Renovations are underway at the location at the cost of $2.3 million, $1 million of which was already raised by September 2025.

"We're hoping for projects to be completed sometime in September," Nixon said. "We're really excited about that, and we still have a lot to raise for that."

Operating out of Faith Church while renovations are underway, Solid Rock Youth Ministries offers after-school programs for students of all ages; summer programs like venture, baking, art and leadership; and programs for local homeschooled children.

"All of the programs are free, which is a huge blessing for so many families," said Nixon, who added that Solid Rock primarily serves families in the Solanco School District, with some spilling in from neighboring areas. "We get to do life with families and students, providing a safe environment for them."