One of Centre County’s most popular road races is back this weekend to support Centre Volunteers in Medicine.
The Nittany Valley Half-Marathon takes place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. The 13.1 mile race starts outside Snider Ag Arena at the corner of Park Avenue and Fox Hollow Road, takes a scenic route along Spring Creek and through Houserville and ends at the former Visitors Center on Porter Road.
Registration is available online or on the day of the half-marathon. The chip-timed race has a rolling start, with runners able to cross the starting mat any time between 9 and 10 a.m. The course will close at 1:30 p.m.
All proceeds benefit CVIM’s work to primary and preventive medical and dental care, which has been providing access to free to primary and preventive medical and dental care for uninsured residents since 2003. This year, CVIM also has been a major local provider of COVID-19 vaccines through clinics open to all community members.
The half-marathon, a Nittany Valley Running Club race, has a fundraising goal of $25,000 this year and organizers encourage donations prior to race day. Those who may not be want to run but would like to support the effort can make donations at www.pledgereg.com/nittany-valley-half-marathon.
The Nittany Valley Half-Marathon originated as part of the final running of the Nittany Valley Marathon in 1984 and now averages more than 750 runners and dozens of volunteers each year.
The Tom Cali, Tracy Wagner, McKenzie Millward and Nicole Hoover Team at RE/MAX Centre Realty have continued their 15-year sponsorship of the half-marathon with a pledge of $30,000 over three year to become the title sponsor for the event.
Tom Cali was one of the original participants in the Nittany Valley Half-Marathon and has run it more than 25 times. He said in a press release that as an avid runner, he wants to support the local running community and that the team has also sponsored several other races and running programs.
“Of course, the fact that the Half raises much-needed funds for CVIM is a major impetus for our team’s support,” Cali said. “Both the team and I have been partners of CVIM for many years.”
He encouraged runners of all abilities to join him in Sunday’s race.
“I would encourage anyone who runs to register for this race,” Cali said. “A half-marathon is a great goal for a runner of any ability, and the NVHM is an excellent one. The course is challenging but scenic, and the race is very well organized.”
For more information on the Nittany Valley Half-Marathon, visit nittanyvalleyhalfmarathon.com.
