Honey Brook Harmony Day, presented in September by the Honey Brook Community Partnership (HBCP), generally features community yard sales, plus activities at the Honey Brook Community Library, the Honey Brook Fire Department and at local churches.

This year for the first time, Honey Brook Harmony Day, set for Saturday, Sept. 20, will feature the 5K Sweetwater Run and kids' 1-mile fun run. The event will take place at a unique location - the Lanchester Landfill and Reclamation Center (LLARC), 7224 Division Highway, Narvon. Race-day registration will take place from 1 to 1:45 p.m., with the run start time at 2 p.m. Those who register by Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1, will receive a discounted registration fee and an event T-shirt.

During the Sweetwater 5K at LLARC, participants will travel over wooded trails, grassy paths and segments of the Lanchester Nature Trail. "There is so much cool stuff at the landfill that people are unaware of," said HBCP chair Julie Funk. "They have disc golf, nature trails and a lookout at the pavilion at the top where you have a fantastic view of Lancaster and Chester counties. It's beautiful; it's a cool place."

5K runners and walkers will navigate two major hills along the course. The first climb will be an elevation gain from 919 feet to 1,056 feet along wooded and grassy paths, and the final ascent will be to the Eastern Overlook, an elevation gain from 1,020 feet to 1,156 feet.

After reaching the scenic overlook, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding valley, runners and walkers will double back and travel a fast, mostly downhill route to finish back at the starting line. The kids' 1-mile fun run will begin immediately after the 5K walkers and runners head up the hill. 

"There are two areas with an incline, and then it levels off," Funk explained. "You can also walk the 5K. The 1-mile fun run will take place at the lower end of the course that is fairly flat."

The path will be clearly marked, and volunteers will help guide runners and walkers and provide water along the course. Post-race snacks will also be available.

"You are not running through garbage. It's not a trash mountain; it's not what (people) think," said Funk. "There are all kinds of wildlife, like deer and eagles. It's an interesting place, and they are doing important work for the environment."

HBCP member Bob Watts, who is also the executive director of the Chester County Solid Waste Authority, which operates the landfill, offered the location for the first-time running and walking event. "They are excited to hold it there," said Funk. "I've walked it with the Chester County Trail Club and felt accomplished when I finished it. There are parts that go up, so it's a bit challenging, but it levels off and it's all downhill when you go back. The view from the top is totally worth it."

First-place medals will be given to the top overall female and male 5K runners, and there will be medals awarded to the top three male and female 5K run finishers in each age group. All child participants will receive a ribbon for participation.

Race proceeds will be used by the HBCP to support nonprofit groups in the Honey Brook area that provide food and emergency support services people in need. "The registration fee will be given back to community (organizations) in grants to support their work, such as the Honey Brook Food Pantry, the library and Steeple to People," Funk noted. More information about the Honey Brook Community Partnership is available at http://www.honeybrookpartnership.com.

Funk added the running/walking event is named for a 1.5-mile-long tributary of the west branch of the Brandywine Creek, which originates in Honey Brook Borough and travels through both the borough and Honey Brook Township and flows all the way to Wilmington, Del. "The Brandywine River actually begins in Honey Brook, and there is this tiny creek that was identified and named Sweetwater," she said, noting the HBCP held a "Name the Brook" contest in 2021 to name the stream.

For more information about the 5K and the 1-mile fun run and to register, visit http://www.runsignup.com/Race/PA/Narvon/HoneyBrookSweetwaterRun. A link to register is also available at http://www.honeybrookborough.net/honey-brook-sweetwater-run.