Penn State will host the Special Olympics Pennsylvania’s (SOPA) 16th annual 2-mile family fun run at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, at Beaver Stadium.

With over 3,500 expected participants, runners and walkers of all ages and abilities can participate in either a 5k run or Mount Nittany Health’s 2-mile family fun walk across campus. The run will conclude inside Beaver Stadium on the 50-yard line of the Nittany Lions’ home turf. 

Proceeds from the run will help underwrite the cost of participation for nearly 2,000 athletes at the 2025 SOPA Summer Games held at Penn State in June.

For the second year, Mount Nittany Health will sponsor the event, and Sheetz will present the run. Other sponsors for the race include PSECU, iHeartMedia, the Penn State Alumni Association, and Keystone Real Estate & Apartment Store, to name a few.

The first, second, and third place overall finishers will receive Sheetz gift cards valued at $100, $50, and $25, along with their respective medals. All participants will receive an official Beaver Stadium Run T-shirt, water, and other refreshments.

Registration to run or walk is free, but participants must commit to raising at least $35 or pay $35 upfront. Children under 9 are free.

Visit the run’s website to register for the event. All participants will be able to register online until the start of the race. Race day registration opens at 7:30 a.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Shortly after the annual run, Penn State will host the 2025 SOPA Summer Games in June.