City: Gettysburg, PA

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Telephone: (717) 334-9171

Description: Spirit of Gettysburg is one of the few races in America where participants actually traverse Civil War battlefields. Begun in 1990 and sponsored by the YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams County, this race begins along Seminary Ridge, where the Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863, and 2 of its 5 miles cover the area where the first day’s battle took place. This isn’t a huge event (participants usually total fewer than 1,000), but it does draw runners from across Pennsylvania and other East Coast states. The 5K is the main race, but other competitions are also held for every age and level of ability. There’s a wheelchair race, a 1-mile fun run/fitness walk, a 1-mile kids’ sprint for ages 7 through 12, a 1⁄4-mile kids’ sprint, and a kids’ minitrot. Entry fees range from $10 to $25 on the day of the race, with reduced rates available with advance registration. If you preregister, you can also arrange for babysitting services for children age 10 and younger.