Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run Returns to Benefit Special Olympics PA

More than 2,500 are expected to run and walk in support of Special Olympics Pennsylvania on Sunday during the 17th annual Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run.

Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities will have the chance to participate in a 5K run at 11 a.m. or the Mount Nittany Health 2-mile Family Fun Walk at 11:10 a.m,. Both start at the All Sports Museum entrance on Curtin Road and travel through campus before ending on the field at Beaver Stadium.

For registration and event-day information, visit specialolympicspa.org/beaver-stadium-run.

Proceeds from the run and walk will help underwrite the cost of participation for nearly 2,000 athletes at the 2026 SOPA Summer Games held at Penn State in June, when athletes from throughout of the commonwealth will gather to compete in eight sports for SOPA’s largest statewide competition.

Since its inception in 2010, the Paterno Family Beaver Stadium Run has raised more than $4 million for SOPA, including a record $500,000 in 2025.

TRAFFIC AND PARKING

Parking for the Beaver Stadium Run will be available at no charge at the Jordan East and Stadium West parking areas.

Drivers traveling across campus on Sunday morning and early afternoon should anticipate delays and use caution as participants proceed through the courses.

Police will monitor intersections and hold traffic to allow participants to pass through roadways.

CATA’s Blue Loop, White Loop, and Red Link service will operate during the Beaver Stadium Run, but with the following adjustments to service:

Blue Loop  buses will turn left on Atherton Street from the College and Allen Street stop, turn left on Beaver Avenue, turn right on College Avenue, turn left on Porter Road, turn left on Hastings Road, turn left on University Drive, and turn right onto East College Avenue to repeat the route. 

White Loop buses will turn right onto College Avenue from Beaver Avenue, turn left on Porter Road, turn left on Park Avenue, turn left on Atherton Street, and turn left on Beaver Avenue to repeat the route. 

Red Link buses will turn right onto Atherton Street from the West Deck, turn left on Beaver Avenue, turn right on College Avenue, turn left on Porter Road, and turn right on Park Avenue to repeat the route.