The Flyers hosted their annual Gritty 5K this past Saturday morning — a race that perfectly captures Gritty’s wild and fun spirit. The event featured singing, cake throwing, and even a hot dog station at the finish line, making it the ideal 5K for runners who like to have fun. True to form, Flyers fans showed up in record numbers this year, marking the largest turnout in the event’s history.
Flyers draw incredible turnout for Gritty 5K
Christine Sibley, Director of Marketing and Events for Flyers Charities, oversees event planning and marketing for popular events such as Casino Night, the Flyers Charities Carnival, and of course, the Gritty 5K. Sibley shared that Flyers Charities moved all events to the E Lot this year, providing more space and adding new activities. She also noted that they expanded the number of registration slots to accommodate growing interest.
“Last year, we had about 3,800 runners. This year, we had about 500 more, so that was super exciting,” Sibley said. “We like to keep the integrity of the race, so we don’t open up too many spots year after year, but we’ll continue to increase registration numbers.”
Beyond the fun and festivities, the Gritty 5K plays a key role in supporting the community through Flyers Charities. “We help local organizations that support families in the area who have been impacted by cancer,” Sibley explained. “We’re also focused on helping to grow the game of hockey.”
Walking around the race grounds, it was clear that the fans brought the energy. Between hot dog costumes, Gritty outfits, and groups of runners ready to party, the atmosphere was electric — especially with the Flyers’ final preseason game against the New Jersey Devils scheduled later that day.
Whether you’re a runner or not, the Gritty 5K is the perfect event for anyone who loves to have a good time. The only downside? You’ll have to wait until next year for your chance to join the fun — but that just means plenty of time to train and come up with a costume that will impress Gritty himself.
