Register Now!

Register for the in-person THON™ 5K powered by PNC

Join us at the BJC to run the University Park course

Register for the Around
the World Challenge

Run from anywhere around the globe

Register for the in-person THON™ 5K powered by PNC

Join us at the BJC to run the University Park course


Register for the Around the World Challege

Run from anywhere around the globe



THON 5K powered by PNC

Join one of the largest 5K races in central Pennsylvania.

Join us in State College on October 22nd, 2023 for the in-person race!

The purpose of the THON 5K powered by PNC is to support THON’s yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against childhood cancer. Your 5K registration fee will go directly to benefit Four Diamonds at the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, which they will use to help cover 100 percent of the costs of patient care, as well as to fund critical, life-saving research. Weaving through scenic University Park, PA, runners will be cheered on by enthusiastic THON Volunteers.

PNC is promoting a Spotify playlist for all runners! Click here to listen!





THON 5K powered by PNC

Join one of the largest 5K races in central Pennsylvania.

Join us in State College on October 22nd, 2023 for the in-person race!

The purpose of the THON 5K powered by PNC is to support THON’s yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against childhood cancer. Your 5K registration fee will go directly to benefit Four Diamonds at the Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, which they will use to help cover 100 percent of the costs of patient care, as well as to fund critical, life-saving research. Weaving through scenic University Park, PA, runners will be cheered on by enthusiastic THON volunteers.

PNC is promoting a Spotify playlist for all runners! Click here to listen!


Around the World Challenge


The Around the World Challenge is a week-long initiative leading up to the THON 5K powered by PNC. We challenge the THON community to move 25,000 miles together, the length it takes to go around the world. For every mile that you move, a dollar can be credited until funds run out. By the end of the week, we will be able to see how many times we were able to move around the world together! Anyone anywhere around the globe can join a team or participate individually. This year, the Around the World Challenge will take place from October 15th – 22nd. Registration opens on August 28th on DonorDrive.

Virtual THON 5K powered by PNC


The Around the World Challenge is a week-long initiative leading up to the THON 5K powered by PNC. We challenge the THON community to move 25,000 miles together, the length it takes to go around the world. For every mile that you move, a dollar can be credited until funds run out. By the end of the week, we will be able to see how many times we were able to move around the world together! Anyone anywhere around the globe can join a team or participate individually. This year, the Around the World Challenge will take place from October 15th – 22nd. Registration opens on August 28th on DonorDrive.


What to Expect


The THON 5K powered by PNC is more than just a race—it is a day full of fun for the entire family. At the THON 5K powered by PNC, you will have the opportunity to interact with Four Diamonds families, meet other THON Volunteers, listen to live music, purchase THON Merchandise, enter to win the THON Raffle, hear special guest speakers, partake in different games, and most importantly, have fun!

What to Expect


The THON 5K powered by PNC is more than just a race—it is a day full of fun for the entire family. At the THON 5K powered by PNC, you will have the opportunity to interact with Four Diamonds families, meet other THON Volunteers, listen to live music, purchase THON Merchandise, enter to win the THON Raffle, hear special guest speakers, partake in different games, and most importantly, have fun!


Commonly Asked Questions

Registration opens on https://store.thon.org/ on August 28th. You can also register the day of the race by visiting the Registration Table by Gate A of the Bryce Jordan Center between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
Note: $10 per registrant for the race.

You can wear anything you feel comfortable completing a race in! The THON 5K powered by PNC is a fun race, so feel free to wear costumes and any funky clothes that you desire to wear. Take into consideration that the 5K is in October, so you may need to dress accordingly. You can also pre-order a THON 5K powered by PNC t-shirt to wear on race day. Most importantly, make sure you wear your smile!

At the in-person THON 5K powered by PNC, you will have the opportunity to interact with Four Diamonds families, meet other THON volunteers, listen to live music, purchase new THON merchandise, enter to win the THON Raffle, hear special guest speakers, partake in different games, and most importantly, have fun! The map of the course for the in-person THON 5K powered by PNC can be found at the bottom of this page.

Registration begins at 8:00 AM at Gate A of the Bryce Jordan Center and will close at 10:30 AM on the day of the race.

The Kids race will start at 11:15 AM and the 5K will begin at 11:30 AM. The start line will stay open for 5 minutes and close at 11:35 AM

Yes, upon registration you will have the ability to select a student organization to credit from a drop down menu. This also includes the ability to credit an independent dancer couple, provided they are already properly registered. This year, alumni can also credit and fundraise on behalf of an organization they were a part of as a student!

At the in-person event, the Four Diamonds families will spend time at the Family Tent that is located behind the stage. There will also be many families participating in the race. The in-person 5K is a great opportunity for organizations and volunteers to interact with the families who are directly impacted through THON’s effort. On the Livestream for the THON 5K powered by PNC, there will be many families featured throughout the day as well.

Runner Number Distribution will take place from October 16th – October 20th, 2023 at the HUB Robeson Center information tables near the Pollock Rd entrance.

The family speaker is at 10:05 a.mon the stage.

There will be food provided to all Four Diamonds families and runners as part of their registration. Carter’s Table and the Rolling Lion Food Truck will be available with a portion of the proceeds going to THON

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the THON 5K powered by PNC Captains, Sophie Collins and Raven Criscitello at thon.5k@thon.org or the Special Events Director, Aidan Johnson at special.events@thon.org.

Please refer to the below map for information about parking during the in-person THON 5K powered by PNC. Note that Curtain Rd. Will be closed between University Dr. And Porter Rd. Parking is free for all. For additional information please email event.safety@thon.org.

The livestream will be running from 10am – 1:45pm on the day of the in-person race, October 22nd.  The link for the livestream can be found on THON.org.

No! Feel free to run/walk/move through the course as you please. If you have any questions regarding accessibility reach out to thon.5k@thon.org.



Parking Map


Course Map