200 Runners Kick Off Mother's Day Weekend with Annual YMCA Bucks County Strong 5K and Fun Run

DOYLESTOWN- The 2026 YMCA Bucks County Strong 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run On Saturday, May 9, marked the fourth race out of seven within the historic, 30th Anniversary Bucks 5K Series. This year’s race saw a record 500 participants register for the event, with over 360 finishing the 5K and an additional 50+ completing the fun run.

Top finishers of this year’s race included Alex Izewski, the overall male winner, who bested last year’s winning time by 24 seconds, and Jeny Fingerod, the overall female winner, who also set a personal best.

“Overall, it was a great day to get out in the community and run with the other fellow racers,” Izewsky shared. “I always enjoy running this race and all the series races, as everyone (i.e. volunteers) makes sure these events are fun and well-run. I am looking forward to the next series race in Doylestown!”

“I love the Doylestown YMCA race and consider it my ‘home’ race,” said Fingerod. “This particular run represents a personal record for me at this distance. Usually, I place among the top finishers in my age category, but this season I managed to prepare exceptionally well for the start. So well, in fact, that I took first place overall. It is especially gratifying to realize that my performance continues to improve right alongside my age.”

The annual 5K takes runners through Doylestown with a finish line and awards ceremony on the field of War Memorial Stadium at Central Bucks West High School. The event featured entertainment before, during and after the race, including DJ BatDan and live music by Ryan Shubert. An additional 1-mile Fun Run directly on the track provided families the opportunity to participate in the event without having to commit to the 5,000 kilometers, or 3.107 miles.

“I often see students from my school participating in the YMCA race,” added Fingerod, who works as a special education teaching assistant at Bridge Valley Elementary School in Furlong. “I am delighted to know that, for many of them, I serve as a source of motivation, inspiring them to step away from their gadgets and get moving.”

Entry fees and sponsorships for the YMCA Bucks County Strong 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run support River Crossing YMCA’s financial assistance and community impact programs, including assistance for children to attend camp and child care programs, as well as specialized health and wellness Pathway programs for military veterans, cancer survivors and those at risk for developing chronic illness. YMCA Bucks County Strong 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run sponsors on hand to support the event this year included Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, One Digital and Pro-Coat Painters.