Bertrand Farr 5K

Time: 9–11am
Date: Sunday, May 31
Place: The Arboretum

Lace up your sneakers and get ready to experience the Arboretum like never before! Join us on May 31, 2026, for the inaugural Farr 5K, a brand-new community event supporting one of our area’s most beloved spaces—The Arboretum.

We invite the community to get active and take part in the first-ever 5K run or 1.5-mile walk through the beautiful grounds of The Museum. The route will begin at the Stone Terrace Tent and wind along the Wyomissing Creek. The 5K race begins at 9:00 AM, followed by the 1.5-mile walk at 10:00 AM, making it a great event for runners, walkers, families, and anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors while supporting the Arboretum.

When the decision was made in 1924 to build The Museum on its current 25-acre site in the 18th Ward, a botanical garden was part of the plan from the very beginning. The natural setting along Wyomissing Creek and some of the existing trees were built into the landscape design. Bertrand Farr (1863-1924), president of Wyomissing Nurseries Company and an internationally renowned plant breeder who personally hybridized and named 50 irises, offered additional trees, shrubs and flowering plants — among them lilacs, peonies and his famous iris — to start the project. Eventually, hundreds of botanical specimens were planted in the Arboretum for the beauty and benefit of the community.

The Arboretum and its dedicated gardens are cared for by over 130 dedicated volunteers, making it possible for the grounds to be open to the public. Maintaining 25 acres of pathways, bridges, aging trees, perennials, and annual plantings is no small task, and The Museum receives no regular federal, state, or local tax dollars for its maintenance. The Farr 5K, named for Bertrand Farr and his irises that continue to grow here, will raise critical funds to care for The Arboretum.

Food trucks will be on site the day of the event, and Museum admission is included with your ticket, so you can explore after the race. Join us for a fun morning of fitness, community, and nature—and help keep the Arboretum green!

Pricing:
5K Run (no t-shirt) – $30.00 • 5K Run (with t-shirt) – $40.00
5K Walk (no t-shirt) – $20.00 • 5K Walk (with t-shirt) – $30.00