Event Description
NOM-York’s 5K was created to raise funds to support our mission – to provide awareness, education and support to those affected by substance use disorder and addiction – as well as to provide a gathering opportunity for the recovery community. At our event, we remember those we have lost to addiction and honor those fighting for recovery.
Our 5K is not like others. It is not a highly competitive event. Although we do our best, we sometimes start the race a little late, and we have hiccups along the way. If you are a serious runner, this may not be the event for you.
In 2016, NOM held its first 5K in memory of Dillon Wentz. We were new at this, and while none of us were runners, we wanted to try something that could bring a large amount of people together who had a common bond. We were told by local runners familiar with running events that first-time events never drew a large crowd, and we would be lucky if 50 people signed up. We were amazed and blessed when we ended up with 197 runners our first year.
In 2017, we had 597 runners sign up for the event. We were overjoyed to see how NOM was gaining community support.
In 2018, we had 1200 runners sign up. The registrations kept coming, and we were again thankful. That was the year it rained, and rained, and rained. We couldn't believe it when over 600 people still showed up to participate . . . in raincoats and garbage bags, even some with children in strollers.
In 2019, we again had 1200 runners sign up, and on the day of the event, we were completely overwhelmed with over 100 people who showed up to register the day of the race. Things got behind, and we ended up starting over an hour late. We learned a lot that day and have made many changes.
In 2020, we sadly had to switch to a virtual run due to COVID, but we still had almost 600 people choose to stay registered and offer their support.
2021 is here, and we have made the decision to proceed with a live event. This past year has weighed heavy on the community in many different ways. We hope that as the world continues to open up and move forward, we will have another amazing event for York County.
Please join us for laughter, tears, memories, and new beginnings.
