Over 1,200 Bare the Cold for Annual Thanksgiving Morning YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K in Nazareth

Featured Image: Over 1,200 take off through the starting line of the 2025 YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K in Nazareth on Thanksgiving morning. (Photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

NAZARETH – River Crossing YMCA hosted the 19^th Annual YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K and Fun Run on Thursday, Thanksgiving morning. The annual community tradition attracted over 1,200 runners and walkers ages five through 75 and top three winners in each race category received a free pumpkin pie. All finishers received medals, and the top male and female finishers also won a frozen turkey.

The YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K brings athletes, families and early risers to the Nazareth branch, located at 33 Main St. on Thanksgiving morning for a 5K pre-feast calorie burn every year. The YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K is one of the most popular Thanksgiving runs in the Lehigh Valley.

“We got a bright, sunny morning to celebrate Thanksgiving and being together this year,” shared Crystal Messer, VP of Operations for the Lehigh Valley region of River Crossing YMCA, who remembered the rainy race just a year ago. “We couldn’t be more thankful to the people of our community who came together to celebrate healthy living, burn off a few calories before the big feast, and support the community impact of River Crossing YMCA.”

Proceeds from the Pumpkin Pie 5K go to support the Y’s community impact and financial assistance programs, making it possible for children and families to afford vital child care services, as well as free, donor-supported one-of-a-kind health and wellness Pathway programs. The Y thanks Starting Line sponsor Keystone Financial Management and Mile sponsors Aardvark Sports Shop, Nazareth Army Navy and Shoprite for their support of this year’s 5K.

River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 142,000 members and participants at its 12 member branches, 12 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 44 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.

Over 1,200 take off through the starting line of the 2025 YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K in Nazareth on Thanksgiving morning. (Photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

Family cheers on their runner in the 2025 YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K on Thanksgiving morning at the Nazareth branch of River Crossing YMCA. (Photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

(L-R) Linnsey Rebner, Philip Kalberg, Zayne Woodall and Kevin Fullmer traverse the Main St. leg of the YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K on Thanksgiving morning in Nazareth. (Photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

A runner’s view of the finish line on Main St. in Nazareth during the 19th Annual YMCA Pumpkin Pie 5K on Thanksgiving morning. (Photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

The River Crossing YMCA Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie 5K attracts over 1,200 runners of all ages each year, including Corinne Sauers and Christopher Orem, seen here legging it out. (Photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

Nate Johnstone receives the medal following his top finishing performance of the River Crossing YMCA Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie 5K and Fun Run in Nazareth, PA. (Photo courtesy River Crossing YMCA)

Information provided to TVL by:
Michael Reisman