Runners are self-motivated athletes. When they run and enter into their competitive zones, runners report feelings of exhilaration and jubilation.

They are feelings that can only be expanded by running for others, feelings that will be felt during the Clinic for Special Children's upcoming 5K.

"It's people intent on running," said Renny Magill, the director of development for the Clinic for Special Children. "But there's also almost a sense of a family reunion. Some are people running in support of a family member. They're people who are interested in supporting the mission."

"Obviously, we have some serious runners," said Kelly Cullen, the marketing and communications manager for the Clinic for Special Children. "But when I think of the atmosphere of the event, I think of family. We're a very family-friendly event. It may be families we serve. We're welcoming a variety of physical abilities, and people really rally around our families."

The Clinic for Special Children's 8th annual 5K run is a community event, a fundraiser, and an outreach activity for the local nonprofit. This year's 5K run will be staged at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Leola Produce Auction, 135 Brethren Church Road, Leola.

Runners can register for the 5K at http://www.clinicforspecialchildren.org prior to the race or in person beginning at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event. All proceeds from the 5K will benefit the Clinic for Special Children, which serves kids and adults with rare genetic disorders.

"It's open to anyone who has interest in running and supporting the mission," said Cullen. "It brings people together, and it's nice to see a community there. It helps us reach everyone about our mission and the work we do."

"There's more to this event than raising funds," said Magill. "It's also important to how we communicate our brand."

In addition to the chip-timed 5K race, the event will feature a 1.5-mile family walk that will also begin at 9 a.m., as well as a kids' color fun run, which will get underway at 10:15 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top overall female finisher and top overall male finisher in the 5K race, as well as the top finishers in 12 age divisions, between 14 and under and 70 and older.

The event, which will provide healthy snacks for participants, will afford runners opportunities to create or join fundraising teams.

The 5K's vibe will be enhanced by the presence of food trucks offering breakfast items and coffee for purchase.

"We're doing things to make it fun," said Magill, a resident of Akron. "We want a lot of people to have a great time."

"It's a happy celebration and a happy moment for the people we serve," said Cullen, a resident of Manor Township. "We'll have people walking and pushing strollers. It's really a welcoming, positive event."

The relatively flat 5K course will traverse scenic Lancaster County farmland. From the Leola Produce Auction, the course will take a right on Peace Road, a left on North Hershey Avenue, then a left on Balmertown Road, before taking a right on Brethren Church Road, a left on Center Square Road, a left on North Maple Avenue, and then a left on Peace Road before returning to the produce auction.

As many as 500 participants are expected to attend the event, and organizers of the event are seeking to make as much as $80,000 for the Clinic for Special Children. More than 30 local businesses and community members are sponsoring the 5K.

The Clinic for Special Children, which is located at 20 Community Lane, Gordonville, operates under a $7 million annual budget, 70% of which is funded by benefit auctions, contributions, grants and fundraisers.

"Giving represents 70% of our revenue and allows us to provide services that are affordable and fundable," said Magill. "Part of the reason we do so well is that we have very generous patrons."

The Clinic for Special Children, which was founded in 1989, serviced 5,700 patient interactions in 2025 from individuals challenged by rare genetic disorders.

"Each year, 400 new patients walk through our door," said Cullen. "Not only are we caring for children and adults, but we're also furthering the science. Our work is based in Lancaster County, but it impacts outside of Lancaster County and the plain community. Ninety percent of our patients are from the plain community, and many are uninsured."