{"id":182326,"date":"2026-05-02T19:34:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T19:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/182326\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T19:34:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T19:34:14","slug":"annual-office-themed-5k-event-draws-nearly-2000-benefits-nonprofit-scranton-times-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/182326\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual \u201cOffice\u201d themed 5K event draws nearly 2,000, benefits nonprofit \u2013 Scranton Times-Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"

SCRANTON \u2013 Nahiyan Naser drove more than 150 miles Saturday to participate in Scranton\u2019s annual \u201cOffice\u201d themed 5K event, dressed as Kevin Malone and toting a massive pot of \u2018chili,\u2019 which he would ultimately drop to the ground for photos.<\/p>\n

Naser, of Union City, New Jersey, a diehard fan of the series, said it was well worth the trip, impressed with the costumes, color and excitement of the event which looked back on the series which aired from March 2005 through May 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was on my bucket list,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Kody<\/p>\n

Kody Richardson and his son Ethan Richardson of Old Forge pose for a photo before The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Richardson spent two months creating the paper mache Dwight Schrute head for his costume. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"\u201cThe<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Office\u201d fan Cora Carney of Dallas poses for a photo before The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The crowd gathered in downtown Scranton for The Office 5k waves to the cameras on stage on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Donna<\/p>\n

Donna Guest, who traveled from Georgia, competes in the costume contest before The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Halie<\/p>\n

Halie Powers depicting Michael Scott\u2019s broken television during the Office 5K on May 2, 2026. (GERI GIBBONS\/STAFF PHOTO)\n<\/p>\n

\"Nahiyan<\/p>\n

Nahiyan Naser travelled from Union City to attend the Office 5K on Saturday, May 2, 2026. He is pictured depicting the character Kevin scooping up chili after he spilled it. (GERI GIBBONS\/STAFF PHOTO)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 6<\/p>\n

Kody Richardson and his son Ethan Richardson of Old Forge pose for a photo before The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Richardson spent two months creating the paper mache Dwight Schrute head for his costume. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

But if one guessed\u00a0 Naser\u2019s favorite episode was \u201cCasual Friday\u201d during which Kevin dropped the chili, they would be wrong. Instead, his favorite is \u201cScott\u2019s Tots\u201d in which Michael Scott promised to pay college tuition for multiple students, but realizes that he doesn\u2019t have the money to follow through.<\/p>\n

In its fifth year, the event has become a tradition for both avid runners, casual walkers and \u201cOffice\u201d fans.<\/p>\n

Valley In Motion, a nonprofit community improvement organization, first sponsored the event in 2022 as a reference to the classic TV show \u201cThe Office,\u201d with deep roots in Scranton.<\/p>\n

\"Runners<\/p>\n

Runners compete in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Ryan<\/p>\n

Ryan Moreland of Sanford, Fla., competes in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Chris<\/p>\n

Chris Font of Holly Springs, N.C., left, and Robert Tona of Collegeville compete in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Spectators<\/p>\n

Spectators cheer on runners during in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Debbie<\/p>\n

Debbie Simoncek of Howard competes in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Halie<\/p>\n

Halie Powers of Warminster competes in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Brad<\/p>\n

Brad Maloney of West Mifflin competes in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

\"Nahiyan<\/p>\n

Nahiyan Naser of Union City, N.J., competes in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 8<\/p>\n

Runners compete in The Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 2, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA\/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

The race, which also included a 1-mile walk, spoofs the \u201cMichael Scott\u2019s Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race For The Cure\u201d featured in an episode of the popular NBC sitcom set in Scranton at the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Co.<\/p>\n

This year Bobby Ray Shafer Jr., who played Bob Vance, owner of Vance Refrigeration, kicked off the race and welcomed participants of the event\u2019s costume contest.<\/p>\n

As costume-clad participants made their way across the band shell, Shafer shook hands with each one, occasionally throwing up his hands to indicate a job especially well done.<\/p>\n

David Bosley, board president of Valley In Motion, who emceed the costume contest said the competition included more participants than in previous years.<\/p>\n

He also pointed out that beyond costumes, participants were attentive to the mannerisms and attitude of the characters they portrayed.<\/p>\n

Halie Powers, came dressed as a shattered television, from the episode \u201cDinner Party\u201d from the show\u2019s fourth season. Powers costume included the Dundie award, which shattered the $200 plasma television during the episode.<\/p>\n

Powers, who travelled two hours for the event, was planning to find something to eat and perhaps get some drinks at the conclusion of the event.<\/p>\n

The event boasted nearly 2,000 participants, Valley in Motion Project Manager Alyssa Kelley said.<\/p>\n

At registration Friday night, Kelley met participants from New York, New Jersey, North Caroline, Kentucky, California and even Canada, she said.<\/p>\n

Kelley said the event had a \u201ctrickle down\u201d effect for area\u2019s economy because many attendees came for the weekend and visited local eateries and other businesses during their stay.<\/p>\n

In addition to the \u201cOffice\u201d vibe, the event also provided runners with a great 5K course through the city.<\/p>\n

Dylan Stanhope, of Pittston, was hoping to beat his previous time of 23.11 in the 5K.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m also an \u2018Office\u2019 fan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Tiffany Callaio, of Exeter, was running the 5K for a second time Saturday.<\/p>\n

Callaio has been trying to improve her times and also runs to get healthy and stay fit.<\/p>\n

After some additional training this year, Callaio said she was ready to take on some hills included in the course.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition to the race, it\u2019s really a fun day,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SCRANTON \u2013 Nahiyan Naser drove more than 150 miles Saturday to participate in Scranton\u2019s annual \u201cOffice\u201d themed 5K…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":182327,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[201,182,139,28,178,180,179],"class_list":["post-182326","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-lackawanna-county","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-pennsylvania","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182326\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}