Ligonier's Summer Solstice 5k
1st Annual ((replacing Set Your Year On Fire 5k))
June 21 2026 9 am
There is Race Day Registration starting at 8 am
INTRO:
This is a direct benefit 5k for the Ligonier Borough Volunteer Fire Company all Proceeds go directly to them.
This is a race themed around the Summer Solstice each year. It will be held each year the Sunday before Summer Solstice, if it naturally occurs on a Sunday it will be on the actual day. This is replacing the Set Your year On Fire 5k. With unpredictable weather, temperatures, road conditions, and not being able to clean the trail we thought it best it move it to a summer month where it be a lot safer.
BIB/SHIRT PICKUP:
This will be at the trailhead at the far end of the football field where the finish line will also be.
COURSE INFORMATION:
The course for the most part is a out and back style course. It will begin in front of Weller field little past where you go into the stadium to pay. There is a yellow "Watch Children" sign that will serve as the start line. From there you run straight very briefly before making the first right hand turn between the field and friendship park. You will run to the end of the road then make a right going onto the bridge that is the start of the Ligonier Valley Trail. The bridge is about .25 miles into the race. From there you will run the entire Ligonier Valley trail. You will cross two roads both will have someone there stopping traffic so you don’t have to stop if a vehicle would be coming. The end of the trail is 1.62 mile from the start. At the end of the trail there is a sign with history of a train derailment that happened many years ago in the area, it’s a big white sign. Run behind that sign not in front you can see how the trail is worn behind the sign as a turn around point. As you
circle around the sign you will head back the way you came. Following the exact same route you took heading out. There will be a water stop at the trailhead by the baseball field if you need a drink you pass it right at that 1.5-1.55 point into the race and again at the 1.7-1.75 mark heading back so you pass it twice in a short period of time. Please keep trash to the water stop area. As you come back over the bridge you will make a right hand turn staying in the lower parking lot. Do not run up in between the field and park as you did to start the race. The finish is in the lower end parking lot. There will be signs or someone telling you where to go, you’ll be able to see the finish line as you come over the bridge. So it wont be a issue. The exact finish line is at the batting cages at the lower end parking lot area. The exact finish line is inline with the first batting cages home plate, if you want to practice the course those are the markers to use.
It’s a pretty flat course and for the most part straight. You’ll be able see pretty good in front and behind you for a good distance the whole race. So, you’ll be able to tell your placement as you race. We will do our best to make sure the trail is safe. But we cant control the weather so there may be puddles or slight uneven spots on the trail.
PRICING:
Pricing is $20 until June 1st at 6pm, then it becomes $25 till registration closes June 20 at 1pm, then its $30 day of the race. There is day of registration starting at 8am and ending at 8:50am. Cash or Check only day of for those registering day of. Credit cards will not be accepted day of. Please allow ample time to sign in day of the race. If you are registering day of, please come early and not come last minute we will not delay the race.
For this year children 10 and under will be free till registration closes then children will be $10 day of. Please see the rules for more information. Though a child's registration is free, they must still purchase a t-shirt to get one.
LOCATION:
Address: 203 Boquet Street Ligonier PA 15658 (Behind Weller Field and Friendship Park)
Coordinates: 40.247321, -79.234746
AWARDS:
Top 3 M & F overall, top 3 in each age group for the run: 10 and under, 11-14,15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
Top 3 M &F for Walk. We are doing age groups to line up with the run category: 10 and under, 11-14,15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+
(no duplicates, awards will not be mailed)
*children 10 and under must run the race under their own power to be eligible for age group awards. Having been pushed on a stroller or carried by someone will not qualify.
Time Limit: 1 Hour 05 minutes. (20:55 minute pace per mile)
SCHEDULE FOR THE RACE:
8:00 am registration opens (possibly earlier)
8:50 am registration closes
9:00 am race starts
10:05 am race ends (must be across mats by 10:05 am to be included in results)
10:10 am awards ceremony
Accommodations:
We want to make sure participants who may need some accommodations are certainly welcome. Please reach out ahead of time so we can make sure to care of those needs if possible.
WALK DIVISION
We will be awarding the top 3 overall Male and top 3 overall Females who are in the walk division. We are doing age groups to line up with the run category: 10 and under, 11-14,15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. You must also finish within the 1:05 time frame. There is no running allowed. You will be disqualified if caught running and your signed up for the walk. This is strictly enforced as its not fair to those who are serious race walkers. So please no running at all even when you see the finish line come into view.
REGISTRATION:
Opens at 8:00 am (maybe earlier depending on registration numbers) and closes at 8:50 am. Race starts at 9:00 am sharp. Awards at 10:10 am. Must be across mats at 10:05 am to qualify for awards.
WHATS INCLUDED:
Custom race Bib Number, chip finish timing, safe environment, post race snacks chance to make lasting memories while celebrating Summer Solstice! Sticker specific to the race and cool awards. Custom unisex t-shirt if you purchased one while registering before the shirt deadline which is June 1st at 6 pm. There will also be pictures taken of you, for you to share.
RESULTS:
Results will be posted online after the race at www.smileymiles.com, please be patient is may take 24 hours for results to be fully posted. I will also post a link to them after they are posted.
FOOD/LIQUIDS:
We will provide water at the mid way point. There will also be post race snacks, ill try to have nice standard variety. There will also be water at the finish line.
PARKING:
Will be how you normally would for a game or to use the playground.
If your not familiar with the area there is plenty of parking between Friendship Park and Weller field on the left hand side going down as well as a few spots at the end. But at the end that’s where finish line is so we strongly discourage use of the lower end parking lot if you have to leave before awards are all given out because the lower end will be blocked off so you wont be able to get out.
Also more parking in front of the field and through local streets.
RULES:
We are testing out the free child registration option for those 10 and under. We require at least one adult to be present at the event to watch the child. The adult does not have to run beside the child during the event, but we ask that you use your best judgement in letting the child run alone if you choose to let them.
There is to be no unsupervised children to be dropped off at the event. We Are not responsible for watching or taking care of a child, if a child is dropped off unsupervised by anyone we will contact the authorities, this is for safety purposes and liability purposes on our end and your along with everybody in attendance. Again we are not responsible for any unsupervised children and unsupervised children will not be allowed to participate, if found after the event they will be stricken form results.
Also testing this year allowing Pets to be on the course. Please have you pet under control at all times. It must be on a leash at all times. If you are caught with pet off a leash or not under control we will disqualify you. You must clean up after your pet if it has a accident. Failure to do so will result in a DQ. Please use your best judgement in bringing a pet with you. Those who are not friendly around people or other pets are not welcome. We don't want animals fighting or barking during the event. Please don't make us regret allowing this option.
Headphones are allowed. Please be courteous to fellow runners and listen at a reasonable volume so you can hear other runners coming or calling out if they are passing you. Strollers are allowed but again be respectful of other participant’s and do not impede anyone’s progress.
We DO NOT mail awards. Stick around to receive your award. We do not allow you to come and pick it up at your convenience either after the race. We understand you may have to leave early for work or family obligations so be an adult and get with us beforehand if you absolutely must leave early. We highly discourage having someone pick yours up during the awards because again you should have seen us before leaving and not everyone has that luxury to have someone there. We believe as a running community we all need to support one another in this community as it grows with each race. That support includes all the way through the award ceremony. We all need to celebrate the accomplishments of every participant at all events we attend and the hard work that goes into each person’s training to get them from start to finish. That's why we want you to stick around. It’s nice to have people cheer others on as they finish.
No smoking, alcohol or drug use is permitted in any area the race will be using this includes parking lots, staging area, race course or restrooms. These are our rules along with rules of the trail and for us to get permission. Remember this is a kid friendly event where young lungs are at play along with the possibility of adults with health issues. We are trying to make this event safe and comfortable for everyone.
No throwing any trash/garbage along the course. Whatever you start with you have to end with. The only exception to throwing trash away is at the water stop at that garbage can there.
No Bandit Runners
To be considered for awards you must finish under you own power, whether walking or running, as stated above children must participate under their own power as well to be considered for awards, being pushed inside a stroller will not count for children they must use their own two feet the entire time.
We do not offer refunds, cancellations or transfers at this time.
Refund/Cancellation:
We do not offer refunds, cancellations or transfers to our other events at this time. This event will go on no matter the weather unless by some chance a state of emergency is declared. You can however switch between the run and walk before registration closes and before the official event starts. If you do not know how to switch online before registration closes get in contact with me and ill do it for you. If you decide to change day of, it must be before the start of the race. Once the race officially starts you can no longer change between the walk and the run.
Run signup does offer insurance for races in case something happens that you can not make it such as a vehicle breakdown, illness or injury. We enabled this feature for this race so if you want you can purchase insurance while registering but it does not go thru us directly it goes thru runsignup, please read whats exactly covered and the rules for it. The insurance can be purchased when you get to the checkout its at the bottom.
Any questions please reach out to us so we can get you the correct answer.
SHIRT POLICY:
The shirt deadline is firm on June 1sh at 6pm. After that FIRM deadline we cannot order you a t-shirt, we also do not order any after the event or mail shirts to you if you do not make it, so you must be present to get your shirt even if you order one you must pick it up at the event or your forfeit your shirt purchase. T-shirts are a $10 add on. As in the past not everyone wanted a t-shirt so to keep registration fees lower we offer it as a add on. Additional shirts can be purchased.
TIMING:
Gun Timing with a mass start with chip finish. Unless there is a strict covid restriction policy then the race will go to a starting mat time trial event with runners being spread out at the start. Race will not be cancelled unless a natural disaster. You bibs will have a chip on the back so time is accurate once you cross the finish line. For the timing mats to read your time properly have bibs placed on the front of your body. If bibs are placed on your back it will not get read properly.
MISC:
Please be respectful of the trail, course and parking areas, along with fellow runners, volunteers and spectators. We are hoping to continually have this race on a yearly basis so it’s important we respect the trail to be allowed to use it in the future. It's a super nice trail.
There will be a photo op area near the start of the race for you to take pictures. That way you and your friends before and after the race can take some pictures to remember the event and memories you made. Also I will be taking pictures at the finish line and will try to have trail cameras set up along the course to get you while your racing. Will also be filming the finish line weather permitting.
We will have a couple Port A Johns set up near registration/finish line area.
Photos of neat things along the course that you can potentially see, videos of where to park along with the most up to date information will be on the Facebook event page. This will also include an elevation chart, pictures of awards, shirts and bibs once designs are finished. I have added MapMyRun as well to this registration page for you to see and use.
MORE INFORMATION:
Please Follow us on all of our different social media platforms at: so you will be up to date on all important race information and other great content.
https://www.facebook.com/onlyeyeathleticsofficial
https://www.facebook.com/onlyeyeathleticsofficial/groups
www.youtube.com/onlyeyeathletics
https://linktr.ee/onlyeyeathletics
For More info check out the "OFFICIAL" Facebook event page.
coming soon
Youtube: Videos of the course and where to park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv6U1JDQw8w
Instagram
www.instagram.com/onlyeyeathletics