5k Trail Run for Thorncroft

Start your Labor Day weekend by participating in our second annual 5K Trail Run for Thorncroft!

Join us, and run, walk, or wheel along our riding paths and through the fields where our horses graze.  Gather at Thorncroft Equestrian Center and complete a 5K trail run (walkers welcome to complete this event), 1 mile fun-run/walk, or wheel around the accessible paths. Everyone is invited to join us for a post-race gathering to visit the Farm, and enjoy local craft beer (All participants 21+ receive a free beer post race!), food trucks, and live music! 

The 5K race will be timed by Chester County Racing Services. The course takes you through the beautiful grounds and pastures of Thorncroft.  You will begin in the front of our facility and will run on pavement, gravel, wood chips, and grass with a little bit of water and mud along the way.  Trail and mile markers will help you find your way.  There is one water station at the half-way point of the 5K Trail Run/Walk and one at the finish. 

For the safety of our horses, please leave your dogs and other animals at home.  Service animals are welcome. Rain or shine event!

The 5K Trail Run for Thorncroft will raise funds for the care of our Farm and our irreplaceable horses.  They are the unsung heroes in all we do!  These special animals gently welcome and care for riders of all abilities providing a unique and healing experience.  To care for and feed one horse averages over $5,000 per year.  Your support will help provide for hay, feed, blacksmith services, veterinary care, and tack.  Your generosity helps to secure the exceptional horses we need in a therapeutic environment - horses who truly exemplify the greatest qualities of extraordinary teachers.

We hope you will join us for this race and look forward to seeing you on September 3!

LOCATION: All events will take place at Thorncroft Equestrian Center located at 190 Line Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

PARKING: The main entrance will be closed for all vehicles with the exception of wheelchair vans and other accessible needs vehicles. Parking will be available in the Pony Field at the Boot Road entrance (please see attached map for exact location) and will be marked accordingly. Accessible parking is available via our main entrance with parking by our front entrance. Please plan to be parked no later than 6:15 p.m. as the entrance to the field is part of the run and walk course.

REGISTRATION LOCATION & NUMBER/T-SHIRT PICK-UP: Thursday, September 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Please follow signage from the Pony Field Parking Lot to the check-in/registration area at the North Arena porch.
Please see one of our volunteers (wearing orange shirts) to check-in (or sign-up) and to receive your t-shirt.

START TIME/LOCATION:
All events will start promptly at 6:30 p.m. with a whistle start. Participants should line up according to the following categories:
1) 5K Trail Run Participants
2) Family Fun Run
3) 5K Trail Run Walkers
4) 1-Mile Walk/Wheel Participants

The Course Start for all events is on the front driveway near the outdoor arena. (Please see map for location.)

FINISH:
The Course Finish for all events is located at the south end of the barn. The finish will be through the barn-say hello to our horsey friends as you pass by!

5K TRAIL TERRAIN:
The 5K Trail Run/Walk course is contained onThorncroft’s property and has a variety of terrain. It begins on macadam, moves to gravel, and then to grass. You will hop over a small stream and there could be some mud, depending on the weather leading up to the event. There are a few inclines and one hill to go down. The majority of the course is relatively flat.

WATER:
Water will be provided at the halfway point for the 5K Trail Run/Walk. Water and bananas will also be provided at the finish area for all events.

COURSE GUIDES/VOLUNTEERS:
Course guides and volunteers in ORANGE t-shirts will be on-site to answer any questions and to guide participants around the course.

EMS/MEDICAL PERSONNEL:
EMS will be onsite near the finish. Medical personnel will also be on-course in a Gator Utility Vehicle for all events.

POST-RACE:
All are welcome to join! Post-Race events are outside our North Arena and barn. Free beer to participants 21+ provided by Locust Lane Craft Brewery. Food available for purchase from Dos Gringos Mexican Kitchen Food Truck and Six-Pack Creamery. Athleta, Strawberry Blonde Headbands, and Stella & Dot will also be onsite for some post-race shopping!

AWARDS:
Awards will be given to the top three male and female entrants in the 5K Trail Run category. Awards will be announced at approximately 7:30 p.m. and will take place in front of our North Arena, at the band area.

TIMING/RESULTS:
Timing is provided by Chester Country Race Services. All results will be available for view by the registration area once the event is completed.

BATHROOM:
There will be two porta-potties on site and our accessible facilities will be available.

WEATHER:
The race is rain or shine.

T-SHIRTS:

**Due to the popularity of the event, race t-shirts are only guaranteed with online registration until August 27, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.**

THANK YOU!
Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to YOU our supporters and friends for your commitment to the Farm and the work we do. To learn more about how your participation will make a difference, please visit thorncroft.org