Run or Walk the Black Cat 5K at Peace Valley Park on Halloween |
A lakeside charity run and 1-mile walk for the Bucks County SPCA |
Here's a Halloween morning plan that's good for you and good for the animals.
The Bucks County SPCA holds its Black Cat 5K and 1-Mile Walk on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Peace Valley Park.
Things get underway at 9:30 a.m. at Sailor's Point, 795 New Galena Road in Chalfont, and wrap up by 11.
Sailor's Point sits right on Lake Galena, one of the prettiest places in the county to be outside on a fall morning.
Registration is $30.
Runners can take on the 5K, and anyone who'd rather stroll can do the 1-mile walk.
Costumes are encouraged, and it is Halloween, after all.
In past years, leashed dogs have been welcome on the 1-mile walk but not on the 5K, so check this year's rules before you bring yours.
Every registration supports the SPCA's work caring for animals in need and finding them homes across Bucks County.
It's an easy way to start the holiday with something that actually matters.
If you haven't signed up yet, check the race's registration page before Saturday for deadlines and any race-day sign-up.
Early forecasts call for a dry, mild day, about as good as late-October race weather gets, but check again Friday night.
Plan to arrive early so you have time to park and find your way to the start.
Afterward, you're just minutes from downtown Doylestown.
The Saturday farmers market is open until 1 p.m. on South Hamilton Street, which makes a nice reward after a morning by the lake. |
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Every year I say I'll do this and every year I forget to sign up in time. Not this year.
Black cats need good PR and honestly this event is a solid start. People still avoid them at shelters which is sad.
Margot SimsYes, the black cat stigma at shelters is so real. They stay longer than any other cats. Hopefully events like this help shift that a little.
Not a runner but the 1-mile walk with my dog sounds perfect. Glad they allow leashed dogs on that part.
Costumes on a 5K course are always a wild sight. Someone always shows up in a full mascot suit somehow.
Adopted my cat from Bucks County SPCA three years ago. Happily doing this one to give back.
Anyone know how hilly the 5K course is? That part of Peace Valley is not always as flat as you think.
Lake Galena on a crisp fall morning is one of the best free sights in the county. Glad they picked that spot.
My wife is making me do the 5K in a matching couples costume. Send thoughts and prayers.
Thoughts and prayers sent, though finishing a Halloween 5K in a matching couples costume is the kind of story you'll be telling for years.
I fostered a dog through the Bucks County SPCA last year. They really do great work. Go run for them.
Kim P.Fostering through them was on my list for this winter. Good to hear they're solid to work with.
This is my third year doing it. The crowd is always friendly and the course is flat enough that you won't hate yourself after.
I've never actually done a run on Halloween. This might be the year I start.
Doylestown farmers market after the race is a great call. That place is worth the trip on its own.
The farmers market closes at 1 p.m., so the timing lines up beautifully, you should be done at Peace Valley well before then.
Farmers market on Hamilton Street is such a good idea for after. Grab some cider and call it a morning.
Black Cat 5K on Halloween? The name alone is perfect. Whoever came up with that did a good job.
It really is a perfect fit, a black cat run on Halloween benefiting an animal shelter might be the most thematically complete event we've ever covered.
AmandaBRight? It fits so perfectly. Black cats, Halloween, a 5K for the SPCA. Someone really thought that one through.
Anyone know if there's parking near Sailor's Point or do you have to walk from the main lot?
Wish more charity runs went to places like Lake Galena. The scenery makes it worth it even if you're slow like me.
The SPCA does really good work around here. Nice to see a fun event supporting them.
The weather window sounds good but late October mornings by the lake can be chilly. Bring a layer.
Anyone done this in costume before? Trying to figure out if a full witch hat is a terrible idea while running.
Sailors Point is one of those places you forget about until you go back and wonder why you ever stayed away.
Lake Galena on a fall morning has a way of doing that, we're glad this gives everyone a reason to get back out there.
I cannot run a 5K but the 1-mile walk with my dog sounds perfect honestly.
The SPCA does really good work around here. Happy to see events like this supporting them.
Wish this was a Sunday. Saturday mornings are tough for us with kids doing activities. But great cause either way.
Chalfont parking can get tight on busy days. Get there early like they said. Not kidding.
Good real-world reinforcement, the article suggests arriving early for exactly that reason, and Sailor's Point can fill up fast on a nice fall Saturday.
BobWThis is real advice. I got there late one year and ended up parking way down the road. Give yourself extra time.
A Halloween costume 5K for the SPCA is exactly the kind of thing I want on my race calendar.
A Halloween morning 5K is honestly the perfect way to earn your candy that night. Just saying.
jen_runsExactly how I'm thinking about it. Run in the morning, guilt free candy all night. Perfect system.
Anyone know if they do race day registration or if you have to sign up ahead of time? Asking for a friend who never plans ahead.
We'd recommend checking the race's registration page directly before Saturday, as it should have the latest on deadlines and any race-day sign-up options.
795 New Galena Road for anyone who needs the address. Easy to find if you've been to Peace Valley before.
I did this last year and it was so fun. Highly recommend. The lake views right at the start line are something else.
MaryBeth H.Good to hear! I keep saying I'm going to do it and never sign up in time. Doing it this year for real.
My kids would love this. Costumes AND a walk by the lake on Halloween morning sounds fun for the whole family.
Mild and dry on Halloween? I'll believe it when I see it. Checking Friday night for sure.
Ran this a couple years ago. The course by the lake is really pretty. Weather was cold that year though so fingers crossed for mild.
Peace Valley Park is right down the road from me. No excuse not to do this one.
9:30 start and done by 11 is perfect. Leaves the whole rest of Halloween open for the kids.
Costumes encouraged?? Now I have to figure out what to dress as while running a 5K. Challenge accepted.
Doylestown farmers market after a morning run sounds like a solid plan honestly.
I always feel so bad for black cats at shelters. Hope this raises good money for them.
Love that they call it the Black Cat 5K. Perfect name for Halloween.
Done this one before. Lake Galena in late October is gorgeous. Highly recommend just doing the walk if you're not a runner.
Wait so my dog can come on the walk but not the 5K? Good to know before I show up with my golden.
$30 is reasonable for a race that goes to the SPCA. Could be worse.
Sailor's Point on a fall morning is honestly one of the best spots in the whole county. Good pick.
A Halloween 5K at Peace Valley? That's a pretty great way to spend a Saturday morning.
My kids want to dress up as cats for this. Seems very on theme.
Cat costumes at the Black Cat 5K might honestly be the most correct decision anyone makes all Halloween, we fully support this plan.
The farmers market tip at the end is the real move. Run a 5K then get apple cider donuts. No guilt.
Peace Valley is always my answer when people ask where to go in Bucks County. Perfect spot for this.
JimFTotally agree. That lake on a fall morning is hard to beat. Glad they picked this spot for it.
30 bucks for a 5K is a little steep but at least it goes to the animals so I can live with it.
Took my dog on the walk portion two years ago. He loved it. Just make sure you check the leash rules before you show up.
Are people actually going to run in full Halloween costumes? Because I want to see that.
Sandra K.I saw someone do a full Darth Vader costume a few years back. It was impressive and absolutely ridiculous at the same time.
Costumes are encouraged, so there's a real chance the starting line looks like a very athletic haunted house, we're hoping someone sends photos.
Done this one before. Lake Galena in October is absolutely gorgeous. Worth waking up early for.