8th annual Wissahickon Trail Classic is Saturday

Hundreds of runners will lace up this weekend for the 8th annual Wissahickon Trail Classic. 

Saturday’s 10k race which winds through the scenic paths of the Wissahickon Gorge has become the popular trail race for the Philadelphia area with more than 500 runners regularly participating. 

Proceeds from the race go to the Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers (WRV), a nonprofit organization which maintains and enhances the park habitat by removing invasive plants and vines and by planting native species. 

The race begins at 9 a.m. at the intersection of Northwestern Avenue and Forbidden Drive in Chestnut Hill. City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis will be the official starter. For non-runners, a 5k nature hike will begin from the same location at 9:15 a.m. 

To register, go to the event’s page. 

The race is presented by East River Bank. Other sponsors include Whole Foods, Valley Green Bank, Chestnut Hill College, the Bryn Mawr Running Company, Valley Green Inn, the Couch Tomato Cafe, and Laurel Hill Gardens. 

The race, is managed by local running club, Wissahickon Wanderers. T-shirts designed by local artist Gary Bernard will be given to all participants. Food and refreshments will be provided.

For more information about the Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers, go to the organization’s website. The WRV conducts volunteer sessions for work in the park on the first Saturday and third Sunday of every month.

More than 500 runners competed in the Wissahickon Trail Classic in 2012. Another large turnout is expected this year.