O'Neal Memorial Cherry Festival 5k Run/Walk
Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT
- Location
- North East, PA
- Gibson Park, 16428
- Type
- RUN
Sign up and verify details on the organizer’s official page.
At a glance
Run or walk a sweet 5K at the Cherry Festival, enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream, and support local high school scholarships and cross country.
- Fun
- Competitive
- Quirky
- Festive
- For a Cause
Fun
Competitive
Quirky
Festive
For a CauseWho it's for
- For a Cause
- School & Youth Teams
For a Cause
School & Youth TeamsGreat for: cause-driven runners, runners who like a competitive edge
Less ideal for: walkers-only pacing
Join the O'Neal Memorial Cherry Festival 5k Run/Walk, affectionately known as 'The Sweetest Race,' in North East, PA. This event offers a 5K distance for runners and walkers, culminating in all-you-can-eat ice cream sundaes. Beyond the fun, your participation supports a meaningful cause, with all proceeds benefiting the North East High School Scholarship Fund in memory of Debbie and Laurie O'Neal, as well as the North East High School Cross Country Team. It's a wonderful way to enjoy a summer morning while giving back to the community.
What to expect
- Enjoy a 5K run or walk with options for all paces.
- Celebrate your finish with all-you-can-eat ice cream sundaes.
- Compete for overall and age group awards, plus raffle prizes.
Standout details
- All-you-can-eat ice cream sundaes
- Benefits high school scholarship fund
- Supports North East HS Cross Country Team
- Overall and age group awards
Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.
Distances & registration
2 optionsRegistration for all distances is through the official signup link above.
- 5K
Sat, Jul 18, 9:00 AM EDT · From $23.70
Opens Apr 4, 2026, 10:37 AM EDT · Closes May 30, 2026, 7:59 PM EDT
- 5K
Sat, Jul 18, 9:00 AM EDT · From $23.70
Opens Apr 4, 2026, 10:37 AM EDT · Closes May 30, 2026, 7:59 PM EDT
Vibe Check
Steady Effort
Steady EffortMixed surface + hills, warm-day exposure
- Warm season
Based on terrain, weather, and distance data.
The course
- Mixed
- Hilly
- Timed race
From the organizer
The Sweetest Race is an event for the entire family with all you can eat ice cream sundaes served after the race. All proceeds benefit both the North East High School Scholarship Fund in memory of Debbie and Laurie O'Neal and the North East High School Cross Country Team.
Check-in will be open at 7:30am at the maroon tents near the start/finish line, with the race beginning at 9:00. We have a limited supply of T-shirts available. Registering online guarantees you the shirt size of your choosing. Shirts can be picked up when checking in.
Prizes will be given to the overall 5k walk and 5k run winners in both the male and female divisions. Individual male and female for the 5k run only will be given to winners in the following age groups: 80+, 70-79, 60-69, 50-59, 40-49, 30-39, 20-29, 14-19, 10-13, and Under 10. The remaining prizes will be raffled off to all participants based on their bib number!
Also in this area
Similar vibe nearby
Races nearby with a similar atmosphere.
- Fifth Street Runspringa SeriesThu, Apr 2, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT · Northampton, PA
- FFCM Orchard 5KSat, Apr 4, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT · Waynesboro, PA
- Pirate 5K, & 10K at New Cumberland, PA (14)Sat, Apr 4, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT · New Cumberland, PA
- The Get Fit Families Easter Color Run and Egg HuntSat, Apr 4, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT · Harmony, PA
Easier options nearby
Lower-difficulty races in the same state.