BlackCat5k – One Mile & Fun Walk

BLACK

Cat

5k

October 26, 2019

THE EVENT WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE!

2019/10/26 09:00:00

11th annual

Welcome to 5K Race | 1 Mile Fun Walk

ABOUT the BLACK CAT 5K

Held in beautiful Peace Valley Park in New Britain, PA, the goal of the Black Cat 5K is to raise money for the Bucks County SPCA, while helping to find forever homes for dogs, cats and other companion animals in Bucks County. The Bucks County SPCA is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to enforcing state anti-cruelty laws, educating the community about companion animal care and issues, as well as preventing and alleviating the suffering of animals in Bucks County. In addition to sheltering stray or unwanted animals, the organization is committed to placing adoptable animals in permanent and loving homes. The Bucks County SPCA is dedicated to the welfare of all animals and is supported solely by donations.

How It Started

The Black Cat 5K was born in 2009 when would-be Race Director Heidi Laubach found herself downsized as a result of the economic recession. Looking for something useful to do besides searching for full-time work, she contacted the Bucks County SPCA about organizing a 5K run as a fund-raiser for them. Although somewhat dubious at first (how often does someone you don’t know call you out of the blue with an offer to raise money for your organization and do all the work involved?), Community Relations Director Nikki Thompson graciously accepted the offer.

Using her very own black cat (with the unlikely name of Pumpkin) as her inspiration, Heidi selected a Halloween theme and put her project management skills to work. The inaugural Black Cat 5K and One-Mile Fun Walk, held on October 31, 2009, attracted over 100 runners and walkers and an annual event was born.

Now in its 11th year, the Black Cat 5K is proud to have helped many loving pets find their forever homes. We look forward to helping many more, with your support!

Here are three things that make the Black Cat 5K special

Your participation supports homeless animals.

All the money raised by the Black Cat 5K– nearly $23,000 to date — goes to the Bucks County SPCA.

You could meet your new four-legged best friend.

We’re happy to have helped many cats and dogs find their forever homes, including last year’s official Black Cat who met his new family at the race.

You’re guaranteed a really cool Black Cat 5K T-shirt when you preregister.

Our race-T-shirt features the Black Cat 5K logo in a black and orange design that’s perfect for Halloween. Add a sterling silver Black Cat 5K commemorative pendant for just $40 to complete the look. All proceeds from sales of the pendant go to the Bucks County SPCA.

EVENT SCHEDULE

8-8:45 am check-in and same-day registration

Check-in for preregistered runners and same-day registration is at Pavilion 3/4.

9-10:00 am 5K run

The race begins on the path below Sailor’s Point at 9 a.m. Strategies for completing a 5K include running the whole distance and a run-walk strategy. An average time is 32 minutes or less. Last year’s winning time in heavy rain and with a brisk wind was 18:21.

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There are prizes for the overall male and female first-place runners and medals for the top three finishers by age group, but you’ll be a winner no matter where you place because your participation supports homeless pets!

Post-race

Enjoy refreshments after the race and learn about pets available for adoption. Then join us as we recognize the top runners and award the prize for Best Dressed Pooch in the Fun Walk. The awards ceremony will be held at approximately 10-10:15 a.m.

8-8:45 check-in and same-day registration

Check-in for preregistered walkers and same-day registration is at Pavilion 3/4.

9-10:00 am Walk

The walk begins on the path below Sailor’s Point at 9 a.m. and heads in the opposite direction from the 5K. Dogs are welcome in the Fun Walk, and costumes are encouraged. The Best Dressed Pooch will win a prize!

Post-race

Enjoy refreshments after the walk and learn about pets available for adoption. Then join us as we recognize the top runners and award the prize for Best Dressed Pooch in the Fun Walk. The awards ceremony will be held at approximately 10-10:15 a.m.

Preregister at PRETZEL CITY SPORTS

Preregister for the Black Cat 5k Run and Walk on Pretzel City Sports or download the form below and mail the complete form with made checks payable to BLACK CAT/SPCA 5K RACE COMMITTEE and mail to 3944 JOHN’S WAY, DOYLESTOWN, PA 18902. Please contact Heidi Laubach 215‐900‐4599 for any additional information.

Thank you.

Pretzel City Sports

Download Form

DIRECTIONS

Peace Valley Park is located just minutes from Doylestown in Bucks County, PA. It’s a big place so finding us can be a little tricky (but worth the effort!). The Black Cat 5K begins on the walking/bike path near Sailor’s Point on the north side of Lake Galena, toward Peace Valley dam.

Use the directions below to find us on race day. DO NOT use mapquest or google maps to find us. If you do, the directions take you to the other side of the lake from where the race starts

Take 611 around Doylestown- Exit at Route 313 – Turn left (west). Proceed 2.2 miles, through Fountainville intersection. Turn left on New Galena Road, (AA Storage units on far left corner, Stout’s Market and Gingerbread Square on near left corner). Continue on New Galena Rd. for approx. 1 1/2 mile. Turn left into Peace Valley Park. Go approx 1 1/4 (go through two stop signs) until you see pavilion 3/4 on your left.

Follow Main Street signs to traffic light at intersection of Route 313. Turn right (west). Proceed 2 1/2 miles, through Fountainville intersection. Turn left on New Galena Road (AA Storage units on far left corner, Stout’s Market and Gingerbread Square on near left corner) Continue on New Galena Rd. for approx. 1 1/2 mile. Turn left into Peace Valley Park. Go approx 1 1/4 (go through two stop signs) until you see pavilion 3/4 on your left.

From South 202 turn left at main traffic light (Route 152 North). Travel approx. 1/8 mile and turn right at the light onto Park Ave. Proceed to first stop sign. Go straight. At second stop sign, go straight again. Travel less than one mile to the Park entrance on the right. Turn right into the park and continue for approx. 1/3 mile to pavilion 3/4 which will be on the right.

Go south on Route 202 through Buckingham to intersection of Route 313 (Swamp Rd.). Turn right. Continue through Cross Keys intersection., proceed 2 1/2 miles, through Fountainville intersection. Turn left at New Galena Rd. (AA Storage storage units on far left corner, Gingerbread Square on near left corner) Continue on New Galena Rd. for approx. 1 1/2 mile. Turn left into Peace Valley Park. Go approx 1 1/4 (go through two stop signs) until you see pavilion 3/4 on your left.

Travel east through Dublin for approx. 2 1/2 miles to New Galena Rd. (AA Storage units on near right corner, Stout’s Market and Gingerbread Square on far right corner) Turn right. Continue on New Galena Rd. for approx. 1 1/2 mile. Turn left into Peace Valley Park. Go approx 1 1/4 (go through two stop signs) until you see pavilion 3/4 on your left.

ake Ridge Rd. (Route 563) to Route 313. Proceed as next tab FROM SOUDERTON – (SILVERDALE)

Take Route 113 to Route 313. Turn right and travel through Dublin for approx. 2 1/2 miles to New Galena Rd. AA Storage units on near right corner, Stout’s Market and Gingerbread Square on far right corner) Turn right. Continue on New Galena Rd. for approx. 1 1/2 mile. Turn left into Peace Valley Park. Go approx 1 1/4 (go through two stop signs) until you see pavilion 3/4 on your left.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No, but it is wheel-measured and the race is professionally timed by Pretzel City Sports. There is a cost associated with course certification and with our shoe-string budget, we haven’t yet taken this step.

There are two easy ways. You can preregister online at pretzelcitysports.com or download an application from this site, complete it and mail with your entry fee to Black Cat 5K Race Committee, 3944 Johns Way, Doylestown, PA 18902. Online registration closes midnight October 23rd.

The entry fee for the 5K and One Mile Fun Walk is $25 before October 12. After October 12 and on race day, the fee is $30.

It depends. While we hope to have some furry friends on hand for you to meet in person, it can be a little tricky. There are a few reasons for this. One is that many of the animals sheltered at the SPCA have been rescued from situations where they have not been properly socialized and may not be comfortable being around lots of people. That doesn’t mean they won’t make great pets, just that an event with lots of strangers can be a little stressful for them right now. Cats especially can be stressed out by lots of people. Kittens tend to be more fearless, but they’re also quick to be adopted so we may not have any to bring with us on any given day. With that said, we will have photos and descriptions of all the great animals waiting for their forever homes back at the shelter, for you to look through. And some of our animal “alumni” will be on hand to mix, mingle, and enjoy a good belly rub or two.

The answer is no to both. For the safety of the runners, dogs and strollers are not allowed in the 5K run, but are more than welcome to participate in the One Mile Fun Walk.

For your convenience, directions to the Black Cat 5K are available on this site. The park is large so it can be challenging to find us if you’re not familiar with it. But it’s well worth the effort!

No. The course is mostly level. It starts and ends on the walking path around Lake Galena just off Sailors Point. From the start, the course follows the path along the lake and across the Peace Valley Dam for 1.55 miles out and back. It’s a really beautiful course, although it can be quite windy running across the dam.

No. The fun walk starts at the same place as the 5K but heads in the opposite direction. It follows the walking path for a half-mile out and back.

Sure! If you would like to volunteer or be a business sponsor for our event, please contact Race Director Heidi Laubach at 215-900-4599 or send an email to blackcat5kbcspca@gmail.com.