Flutopia Race Returns to State College

Special to The Centre County Gazette

There’s nothing like live music or a familiar footrace to help bring people back outside these days. How about an event that combines both?

The Flutopia 5K has charmed local music lovers and athletes for 10 years. After a two-year in-person hiatus, the event is back, set for Saturday, Aug. 6, at Tom Tudek Memorial Park, 400 Herman Drive in State College.

And the event, a 5K run/walk that features live music performed both at the start and along the course route, clearly has fans, including two runners from State College.

“The Flutopia 5K is a fun local race that brings together the music and running communities for a great cause,” said Jaimie Wright, a Flutopia representative. “I look forward to hearing each group of flutists play as I race.”

Fellow Flutopia rep Mark Fedkin agreed.

“Flutopia is a very fun race to do. You sort of run from one music station to the next — that gives you some live entertainment on the go and takes your focus off your GPS and lets you just enjoy the sound and scenery,” Fedkin said. “With live music and great food afterwards, the event has that great community vibe. It really makes you want to come back.”

The event is organized by The Flutopia Initiative with the goal of “flutists inspiring musicians to change the world, one concert at a time,” according to the initiative’s website.

Racers and walkers will take off to a flute rendition of Flight of the Bumblebee instead of a starter gun and be serenaded along the route by area musicians playing a variety of instruments. The event also features flute-themed prizes and a 50-yard dash for children 10 and younger. Proceeds benefit Centre Volunteers in Medicine.

Registration is available online at www.ultrasignup.com.

Cathy Collinge Herrera is the founder of The Flutopia Initiative.

This story appears in the Aug. 4-10 edition of The Centre County Gazette.