LECOM is gearing up for its 13th annual 5K race, and for the first time, runners had a chance to prepare for the event at a 5K expo.
The inaugural expo was held Friday ahead of Saturday’s race, bringing together vendors, shoe-fitting demonstrations, and a new one-mile “shake-out” run designed to help participants get ready for race day.
“This year, we’re doing something new. It’s called our race expo,” said Lauren Zemanek, operations manager for the LECOM Medical Fitness and Wellness Center. “We’ll have some vendors here today from 2-6 p.m., some shoe-fitting demos, we’re doing a shake-out run, so we’ll do a one-mile run.”
The shake-out run also gave participants the opportunity to test out new running shoes before Sunday’s race.
The LECOM 5K is more than just a community race. The event also helps support students at LECOM through the school’s scholarship fund.
LECOM officials say the school maintains one of the lowest tuition rates among osteopathic medical schools in the country, in part because of fundraising efforts like the annual 5K.
Funds raised through Sunday’s race will go back to students by helping cover tuition costs through the LECOM scholarship fund.
Organizers expect about 600 participants for this year’s race, and registration remains open through Saturday morning for those who want to take part.
The 13th annual LECOM 5K will take place on Saturday at the LECOM Medical Fitness & Wellness Center.