THON™ 5K Through the Years

Natalie Christie at the THON 2026 5K

Fifty years ago, THON™ and Four Diamonds began a partnership that would grow into a shared goal of supporting the lives of countless families. This year, as THON 2027 is underway, this story continues Oct. 25 at the THON 5K. If you ask past participants what they remember, you won’t hear about finish times. You’ll hear about the signs on the sidewalk, the supportive friends who show up to cheer you on, and the families who cross the line together. 

It’s the people beside you who make the THON 5K so magical.

For Heidi Shiroshita, who ran in 2024 and 2025, the memories began at her first THON 5K. “I remember feeling super sick that day, but I ran it with my friends from the Blue Band,” Shiroshita said, “and all the encouragement from the people on the sidewalks helped so much!” The spectators and volunteers on the sides of the course held signs and cheered to encourage each runner, and Shiroshita said that every supporter made her want to try that much harder.

Heidi Shiroshita and the Blue Band at the THON 2026 5K

Ellie Werner, who ran in 2025, spent the morning with her business fraternity and Club Cross Country. Being a cross-country runner in high school, Werner is no stranger to 5Ks, but this one felt different for her. She set a personal record, which she credits to feeling “so inspired and surrounded by positive energy throughout the entire race.” Werner said the event is “about so much more than running.”

Ellie Werner at the THON 2026 5K

Cali Fiscus ran with her organization, Pillar, for last year’s THON 5K, and was amazed by the huge group that came together for the cause. After participating in other fundraisers, Fiscus found it special to take part in something different together. “It was such a beautiful day,” Fiscus said, “and it felt so good to see students, families, and community members come together outside of THON to support the same mission.”

Cali Fiscus and Pillar at the 2026 THON 5K

For many organizations, the THON 5K is the first time members meet their paired THON families.

Julia Kline, an Ayuda-7 alumna, said the THON 5K became a tradition for the organization. Ayuda became known for finishing last, as members soaked up the time with their paired family. Together with their family, in 2025, the group picked up the pace and crossed the finish line at the 70-minute mark. They didn’t finish in last place and even finished the final 100 meters in a full sprint together!

Ayuda members at the THON 2026 5K

Natalie Christie, who participated in the THON 5K in 2023, 2024, and 2025, also remembers walking with her organization’s paired families. For her, the THON 5K offers “a small glimpse of what THON Weekend is like early in the year,” and an opportunity to get new people excited and spread THON’s mission!

Natalie Christie with the Nittany Lion at the THON 2025 5K

Sammie Geller, assistant executive director of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Benefiting THON, participated in the THON 5K in 2024 and 2025 and plans to run this year, too! Her organization’s paired family, William’s family, joins them every year. “The 5K is always a time where many of our members are first meeting,” Geller said, and hearing stories about William is a highlight. Last year, the group dressed up in Halloween costumes for the race. “THON is about the families,” Geller said, “so seeing them really reminds me who we are doing all of this for.”

Sammie Geller & the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Benefiting THON with William’s family at the THON 2026 5K

The THON 5K truly shows how far this community will go beyond one weekend in February. In this milestone year, marking 50 years of partnership with Four Diamonds, it’s a reminder that THON is made up of moments like these. Those 3.1 miles may be measured in minutes, but what each one stands for is measured in the families who inspire everything the THON community does.

Whether you’re a returning runner or a first-time participant, this year’s THON 5K is an opportunity to make lasting memories. The THON 5K is on Sunday, Oct. 25. General registration is open until Oct. 24, and you can click register online. For more information, check out THON’s registration announcement!