The popular Ugly Sweater 5K, hosted by the Manheim Township Cross Country Booster Club, is certainly one of the reasons for the Manheim Township School District's cross-country success.

The Ugly Sweater 5K enjoys a solid history of support, it serves as the program's only fundraiser, and it helps finance competitive and social opportunities that enhance the student-athletes' overall experience. But ultimately, it is the student-athletes who are responsible for their own personal successes.

"It's truly a tight group of students who all get along and have fun while they're competing," said booster club vice president Brian Speizer of the current culture of the program. "I think that's what makes the Ugly Sweater 5K and the teams successful. The kids want to be there."

The booster club will stage its 16th annual Ugly Sweater 5K Run/Walk and 1-mile fun run on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Landis Run Intermediate School, 25 Blue Streak Blvd., Lancaster. The 5K will start at 10 a.m., and the fun run will commence at 10:35 a.m.

Advance registration is encouraged at http://www.lancastercountyxc5k.com prior to Thursday, Dec. 5. Participants can also register in person for a higher fee on the day of the race, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three female and top three male finishers overall, as well as to the top finishers in each age category. The festivities will be topped off by light refreshments of soup, snacks and hot chocolate in the school's cafeteria.

"It's just a great community event where we try to promote running and the growth of the cross-country team," said Speizer. "It's a great event, and we have a lot of positive feedback. We try to tie it to the sport. Running is a sport that anyone can do; it's a lifelong sport. You have a few individuals who are competitive and anxious about putting down a good time. Others are just running for fun."

Runners and participants will navigate a 3.1-mile "over the river and through the woods" course in and around the Manheim Township campus, modified to include a portion of the high school's varsity course and holiday decorations. Ugly sweaters are optional but very popular.

"The sweaters bring a bit of creativity to the event," said Speizer. "You'll see them from all over the map. Some are purchased and some are homemade. They bring another level of excitement. They're also great conversation starters. It's entertaining to see what's being worn out there."

Nearly 300 runners are expected to participate, and the booster club is hoping to raise $10,000 from the Ugly Sweater 5K. Currently, there are about 125 Manheim Township students in grades seven through 12 involved with the Blue Streaks' cross-country program.

"One hundred percent of the money goes toward supporting the cross-country kids, for things like entry fees to invitationals, snacks, equipment, T-shirts, financial support and team recognition," said Speizer. "It provides opportunities for team-building activities. It also covers the athletes' banquet at the end of the season."

This fall, both the Blue Streaks boys' and girls' cross-country teams went undefeated during the regular season and captured team titles at the Lancaster-Lebanon League and District Three Class AAA championships. The Blue Streak boys finished sixth as a team at the PIAA Class AAA meet in Hershey on Nov. 2, while the Township girls came in seventh at states.

Manheim Township runners who brought home individual medals from the state competition were Adam Kingston, a senior who finished seventh; Elena Barrall, a freshman who came in 20th; and Cole Stevens, a senior who finished 21st.

"Their performance this year was phenomenal," said Speizer. "How we define success is making states. There's no doubt that the program has been incredibly successful over the last few years. You have to continue to improve, and the kids work hard; they're committed to working through the summer. The effort you put into it is the result you get out of it."