American Lung Association’s Annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Harrisburg, to Offer In-Person and Virtual Events to Support Lung Health, COVID-19 Action Initiative

Today, the American Lung Association in Harrisburg announced that early bird registration is now open for its annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Harrisburg. The beloved community event will take place at City Island, Carousel Pavilion as an outdoor, in-person event on Saturday, November 6, 2021, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The event will support research, advocacy and education for lung diseases, lung cancer and COVID-19. All participants will be required to follow current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local guidelines. 

The LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Harrisburg in-person participants will complete either a challenging and scenic 5K route or have an option for 1-mile walk around the park.  Participants can also opt to “Walk Your Way,” and participate by walking in their own neighborhoods, tracking their activity online through the new LUNG FORCE app (available for Android or iPhone). In addition to the Walk, the event will include an array of interactive activities that promote lung-health awareness. All registered participants for both virtual and in-person options are encouraged to join the event’s Facebook group and download the app to share their journeys and connect with advocates and heroes.  

“Through events like the LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Harrisburg, we are able to continue our work to improve air quality, educate residents on lung health and COVID-19, and support people who live with lung disease,” said Steve Gillis, development director for the Lung Association in Pennsylvania. “That mission has never been more important than it is today with nearly 1.8 million Pennsylvanians living with lung disease͞, we are looking forward to rallying the Greater Harrisburg LUNG FORCE community to advance this work that saves lives.” 

Money raised at the 8th Annual LUNG FORCE Run/Walk will support the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, as well as support the Lung Association’s COVID-19 Action Initiative. The COVID-19 Action Initiative is a $25 million investment to address COVID-19 and protect against future respiratory virus pandemics. The initiative works with public and private entities to increase research collaboration and develop new vaccines, detection tests and treatment therapies.  

The 8th annual Lung Force Run/Walk Harrisburg is currently sponsored by Enterprise Holdings and McNees Winter Group LLC. The event Master of Ceremonies is WGAL’s “News 8 Today” Co-Anchor Lori Burkholder, who lost her beloved sister-in-law to lung cancer in 2012 and continues to raise awareness and supports the Lung Association mission to defeat lung cancer and help prevent lung disease. 

Additional Event Details:  

The LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Harrisburg 5K route has an optional one-mile turnaround for walkers. The run portion of the event is serviced by Pretzel City Sports. Awards for runners will be given for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd finishers in each age group. Every event participant who raises a minimum of $100 will receive a commemorative T-shirt. 

Early bird registration is now open! The registration fee for runners is $15 until September 30 and $25 once early bird registration ends. There is no registration fee for LUNG FORCE Walk participants, but donations are encouraged. We recommend that in-person walkers register in advance to avoid event day lines. The online registration deadline for runners is Wednesday, November 3, 2021. More information and registration are available at LUNGFORCE.org/harrisburg.