The Hempfield Foundation will hold the inaugural Spirit 5K Run/Walk and Half Mile Kids Run on Saturday, Oct. 2, at Georgelis Law Firm Stadium on Mumma Drive in Landisville. The event will begin at 8 a.m. with registration, followed by a 9 a.m. start for the 5K and a 10:15 a.m. start for the kids' run.

The 5K course will include both the Hempfield campus and a limited number of streets in the surrounding neighborhood. The kids' run, for people age 12 and under, will consist of two laps around the track in the stadium.

The theme for the run/walk and kids' run is "Where Spirit Matches Speed Stride for Stride!" All participants, whether for the 5K or the kids' run, are encouraged to wear red and black to show their Hempfield pride, and prizes will be awarded to those who show the most Hempfield spirit. Foundation president Doug Herr noted that the event will celebrate the Hempfield teachers and staff.

Founded in 1993, the Hempfield Foundation is a separate not-for-profit organization that supports the educational mission of the Hempfield School District through grants and scholarships. Herr said the foundation awarded more than $40,000 in teacher grants at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.

In addition, the foundation annually awards more than $25,000 in scholarships to graduating Hempfield seniors.

Separate entry fees have been set for 5K runners and walkers and for participants in the kids' run, with discounts for additional members from the same family. Course sign sponsorships are available.

The deadline for registering to be guaranteed an event T-shirt is Sunday, Sept. 19. Online registrations will be accepted until Sunday, Sept. 26. Day-of-event registrations will also be accepted.

To register and for more information about annual partnerships with the foundation, visit http://www.hempfieldfoundation.org or email hempfieldfoundation@gmail.com.

The title sponsor for the tournament is also the foundation's Premier Community Partner, Penn State Health.