After raising more than $45K with a 5K last year to support Moosic’s parks, organizers of the second annual Move with Moosic 5K Run/Walk hope for an even bigger turnout in 2026.
“My goals for this year are not monetary because I think Move with Moosic is so much more than the money,” organizer and council President Marilyn French said. “The money is needed, absolutely, but my goal for this year is just that more families come out, more people participate and get to know their neighbors.”
The second Move with Moosic 5K will be June 7 at 9 a.m., followed by a new, free quarter-mile kids fun run at 10:30 a.m., with a post-race party to follow on Main Street. The race will begin at the Moosic Youth Center, 606 Main St.
As organizers prepare for the race, they are looking for additional sponsors and vendors, French said.
“We had such a great response last year, and there were so many people that came out to it,” she said. “We’re hoping to amp that up even more.”
More than 200 people signed up for the inaugural race last year, with proceeds going toward improving Moosic’s parks, French said. Prior to the race last year, she set a goal of $10,000. More than quadrupling that goal shows the care and generosity of the community, she said.
“It says that people in our community really care about what their parks look like, and they want to take action on that and be a part of improving them,” French said. “It also tells me how generous the community is. We had so many families who are chipping in $100, $250 in loving memory of uncles, aunts, brothers, cousins that had passed away that were longtime residents of Moosic Borough.”
Proceeds last year went toward updating Edmond Piaski Park, resurfacing the basketball court at Smerdon Park with a hoop rehabilitation this spring, replacing an aging door at the Moosic Youth Center to improve safety and accessibility, purchasing mulch for the Moosic Red Wings playground, and upgrading the security cameras at Mercatili-Segilia Park, according to organizers.
The Moosic Youth Center also received $2,000 from Bank of America through a program where the financial institution gives grants to a nonprofit of an employee’s choice for volunteering a certain number of hours, she said, explaining that grant money went to getting new picnic tables for Moosic Little League.
This year, the borough is in the process of developing a comprehensive parks plan with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and it is seeking a planning grant, she said. They could use funds from the 5K toward any required matches for larger grants for borough parks, she said. French pointed to the need for continued work at Piaski Park, which will cost at least $30,000 total, and she said she would love to do a big project at the Quinlin Sports Complex, which needs a facelift.
Fidelity Bank is the 5K’s presenting sponsor, and Dr. John G. Kuna & Associates is sponsoring a free fun run for kids, French said.
The race route will begin the race at the Moosic Youth Center, wind down Main Street and Minooka Avenue to Felter Field, pass by the Moosic High Alumni Memorial and Piaski Park on Elm Street, travel up Spring Street to Mary Ann Nawrocki Park and then loop back around to end at the youth center, according to a race description.
“I want to see 500 people walking down Main Street,” French said.
To sign up for the race, which costs $30 to preregister, or obtain a sponsorship form, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/Moosic/MoveWithMoosic. For information on sponsorships and after-party vendor space, email French at mfrench@moosicborough.org or Ashley Aldubayan at aaldubayan@moosicborough.org.