History

Since 1993, the Women’s 5K Classic has raised funds to support Greater Lehigh Valley organizations that share its mission of promoting fitness among women of all ages, assisting women and families affected by breast and other female cancers and educating women about breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment.

When the race first began about 250 women participated and the race raised $2,500 which was donated to Lehigh Valley Hospital. Since that time, the race has grown to now attract nearly 5,000 participants annually, includes a Competitive walk, a 5K run, a Pink Ribbon Loop, and a Friday Night Health Expo. 

In addition, the Women’s 5K Classic is a registered 501 C nonprofit corporation, includes a Board of Directors, an all-volunteer Race Committee, a dedicated group of 200 loyal volunteers, an endowment fund for future needs, and each year raises in excess of $250,000. Most importantly, the Women’s 5K Classic remains an entirely volunteer driven organization and does not have a paid staff or large overhead expenses. The organization relies on the generosity of its many corporate partners and hundreds of individual sponsors for additional support and in-kind services.

Since the very first dollar was raised more than $4.2 million has been invested in the Lehigh Valley community and the Women’s 5K Classic has touched the lives of over 13,000 women and their families each year. Each and every dollar raised by the Women’s 5K Classic remains in the Lehigh Valley and supports local programs, organizations and institutions.

Most importantly, the Women’s 5K Classic would never exist without the support of our nearly 200 dedicated volunteers who staff the Josh Early Health Expo on race day by setting up the course, serving as course marshals, distributing water to thirsty runners and walkers, providing food to finishers and cleaning up the course. In addition, the Women’s 5K Classic is very thankful to our devoted corporate partners and individual sponsors who allow the Women’s 5K Classic to advance our mission and of course to the participants who supported us that very first year and continue to support us each and every year.