If you hear the sound of cannon fire on Saturday morning, May 3, know that Manor Township is taking steps to preserve its vast farmland.

The township is hosting its 26th annual Turkey Hill Country Classic races that day at Central Manor Church of God, 387 Penn St., Washington Boro. "It's a scenic run," race director Michelle Smith said. "The course is beautiful."

The half marathon will start at 8 a.m. The 10K will begin at 9 a.m., and the 5K will follow at 9:05 a.m., with reminder announcements made just prior to the start of each race. The event will be held rain or shine.

"One thing that is very unique about our event is we kick off each of the three races with a cannon start," Manor Township manager Ryan Strohecker said. "That's pretty cool."

More significantly, the cannon fire will signify the start of the township's renewed efforts to preserve its farmland. Strohecker said 83% of all the land zoned in the township is farmland.

Strohecker said one of the things that is new this year is the township has set up a separate 501(c) nonprofit for farmland preservation, specifically in Manor Township. Before COVID, the race had sponsors, and the money went directly to benefit preserving farms across Lancaster County. "One thing that is different now is that Manor Township is doing our own farmland preservation through the county ag board," Strohecker said. "Every dollar that is given in sponsorship money is going directly toward farmland preservation here in Manor Township. We are pretty excited about that."

Go to https://manortownship.net/country-classic-registration/ to register. Online registration will run until Thursday, May 1, at 2 p.m. Online registration is strongly encouraged, and the fee must be paid through PayPal. Participants can pick up their packets on Friday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Manor Township office, 950 W. Fairway Drive, Lancaster. Runners may also pick up their packets the morning of the race in the church lobby. People who have preregistered and have their race number can go directly to the start line without additional check-in.

Same-day registration will open approximately one hour prior to the start of each race. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, check, and money order. Bib numbers and T-shirts (while supplies last) will be handed out to participants who register on the day of the event.

An awards ceremony will be held soon after the completion of the races. There will be cash prizes for the top three overall winners of each race for both men and women and medals for age bracket winners. Anyone who sets a course record will earn additional prize money.

In addition to the races, there will be bounce houses, and Central Manor Church of God will provide free food. "It's a great family event," Strohecker said. "We will have stuff to do for non-racers. We encourage people to bring children. We're going to have a kids' race. There are things for everybody in the family to do."

The kids' run will start at 9:45 a.m. Kids age 5 and under will run 50 yards, children ages 6 to 8 will run 75 yards, and 9- to 12-year-olds will run 100 yards.

The food, fun, and footraces are designed to draw attention to the chief mission. "The racing side of it is just to get the community out to be able to participate in something," said Strohecker. "At the end of the day, this is all benefiting farmland preservation."