THE MUSHROOM CAP HALF
MARATHON FESTIVAL
Want to run for the Hill of It? Run Kennett Square! The Mushroom Half Marathon event invites you to explore the Mushroom Capital of the World this November 4th.
Come explore our culture-rich city and truly experience The Mushroom Capital of the World. You will be treated to a one of a kind running experience enjoying Kennett Square’s unique neighborhoods, gorgeous country roads, horse farms, and rolling hills (some are steep!). Enjoy themed aid stations along the course with a fast, downhill finish and a community sponsored, post race festival. Run the Half Marathon or The 5 Miler, choose your distance.
The Mushroom Cap Half Marathon event is perfect for locals, visitors, and families looking for a fun and unforgettable experience. Plus, you will be within proximity to restaurants, and shops!
Registration is available online until 7:30am on race day, unless the event sells out. Remember, all packets must be picked up in person before Packet Pick Up closes at 7pm on November 3rd.
RACE PRICING
Half Marathon
April 1 Fool’s Day $85
April 2 - July 1 $95
July 2 - October 2 $105
October 3 - November 3 $115
-Race Day $120
FUNGI 5 Miler
April 1 Fool’s Day $50
April 2 - July 1 $55
July 2 - October 2 $60
October 3 - November 3 $65
-Race Day $70
Registration closes on 7:30am on November 4th
RUNNER INFO
Half Marathon
Travel through the Mushroom Capital of the world exploring the quaint borough of Kennett Square, quiet neighborhoods, country roads, turn of the century barns, historical Revolutionary War landmarks, and Mushroom Farms.
Time Limit: 3.5 Hours from participants start time
Half Marathon Map & Elevation
5 Miler
This is no ordinary 5 Miler! Experience Kennett Square's mushroom farms, historic homes, landmarks, and quaint streets as you run through city blocks surrounded by live Oak Trees 100+ years old.
Time Limit: 3.5 Hours from participants start time
5 Miler Map & Elevation
Race Perks
Finisher Medal
Premium Runner Swag
Complimentary Finisher Beer
Post Race Nosh
Live Music
Community Post Race Festival
Shroomie Teams
Have a large group? Interested in starting a Shroomie Team?
Having the support of your shroomies during your training and race is priceless. Regardless of when your teammates register, the entire group will get a $10 refund once your team reaches 10 or more members. The refund will go directly back to the card used to pay for registration. PLUS there’s potential for teams to win extra prizes and deals.
WHY RUN AS A TEAM?
Running with friends is really so much more fun than running alone. Once the race is over, a team is there to celebrate, and relax after the accomplishments of the day. Plus, they’ll keep people going and motivate them to finish strong if they’re starting to feel sluggish mid-race. Teams get bonus post race festival tickets if they wear matching team t-shirts or costumes!
Before the race even starts, a team is a built-in training support system. A dedicated team will spend some time running together before the race starts, getting to know each member’s quirks and pace. An individual can push off or ignore scheduled training runs, but a team won’t let them get away with skipping them! Besides support, team members also make for great accountability partners, and will help members to be completely prepared come race day.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
When registering you will have the option to Join a Group/Team. All Members of a TEAM are linked by their team name and password. As your team grows, everyone benefits, even those who register first! The system will automatically refund everyone on the team who has already registered and charge the new team members the new rate. Once you hit 10 shroomies, the first 9 to register will automatically receive a $10 refund to their card, and the 10th member (and anyone else who registers after that!) will get the discounted rate automatically. Registrants that do not initially register with their group may not be eligible for refunds or discounts.
NEED HELP CREATING OR JOINING YOUR SOCIAL TEAM?
You can easily create or join your social team during registration! Registrants that do not initially register with their group may not be eligible for refunds or discounts. If you already registered, and didn’t join or create a team CLICK HERE for instructions!
Still having trouble? Contact us at sarah@runksqmushroomcap.com
Read Before Registering
The following are prohibited from the course:
Pets
Baby joggers/strollers
In-line skates
Bicycles
Any other non-official wheeled vehicles.
Contact us for rules on wheelchairs.
All official finishers of the Half Marathon and 5 Miler will receive a finisher’s medal.
If you like to listen to music while you run, for your safety and others’, please be aware of your surroundings.
Minimum age requirements: Half marathon – 14 (years old); 5 Miler (10 years old)
What If I Register and Would Like To Change My Distance?
Transfer & Refund Policy
Run2Shine, the producer of this event, works on this run year-round to ensure a fun and safe environment. Almost all race supplies and services must be purchased well in advance of race day. We have worked hard to make sure there are options available while also being sure we can continue to produce the best quality event year after year.
All transfers must be approved by Run2Shine. Refunds cannot be processed if the event has already taken place. Please note, we will not be offering deferrals this year.
Important Dates
August 4, 2023: Deadline to request a partial refund, which is your registration minus RSU fees.
Transfer To Another Person
Half Marathon: $20.00
5 Miler: $10.00
• The owner of the transfer is responsible for finding someone to transfer to.
• For the safety of all participants, participants are not allowed to give or sell their bib to anyone as part of a non-race approved transfer.
• Transfer fees are non-fundable.
• Shirt sizes are not guaranteed for transferred registrations.
Transfer To Another Event
Participants may transfer to another event until 7pm on Friday, November 3rd.
The schedule is as follows
Half Marathon to 5 Miler $10.00 transfer fee
5 Miler to Half Marathon $15.00 transfer fee + difference between price paid and current registration cost.
• By transferring distances, you will receive the shirt, bib and any other items associated with your new distance, not your old registration.
• Price differences between races will not be refunded if transferring to a shorter distance.
• Once a distance transfer has been completed, it cannot be reversed.
• Shirt size is not guaranteed for registration transfers.
EVENT DETAILS
PACERS
We are excited to be partnering with Beast Pacing Team again this year to help you finish your half marathon. The team is familiar with the course and will run the entire half marathon distance at a steady/even pace. They will help you not only achieve your goals, but have FUN; whether the goal is a personal record or simply to cross the finish line. Beast pacers are chosen for their ability to successfully lead a group while keeping them motivated all the way to the finish.
How does pacing work?
Pace groups for the following times: 1:40, 1:50, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45 and 3:00.
The Pace Group Leaders will be running “Even Splits”. This means that every mile will be run at approximately the same pace. Exceptions to this will be at the beginning of the race due to the bottleneck at the start, and on the miles that the course dictates. Think of them as a moving finish line with your goal time pinned to the back of their shirts.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
6:30am- Parking lots open
7:00am- Gear Check, Packet Pick Up (for out of towners) & Registration opens
7:30am- Roads Close
8:00am- Half Marathon & 5 Miler Start
9:00am- Mushroom Madness Post-race Festival opens at Celebration Square
9:00am- Top M/F 5 Miler announced/award pickup at award tent
10:00am- Top M/F 13.1 Miler announced/award pickup at award tent
11:45am - Gear Check closes
1:00pm- Beer Garden closes
DIVISIONS & AWARDS
In addition to the commemorative finisher medal received by every finisher of the 2023 MCHM Half Marathon and FunGI 5 Miler, awards will be given to the following categories.
AGE GROUP
Awards will be presented to the participants of the Half Marathon & The FunGI 5 Miler in the following categories:
• Top three overall female finishers
• Top three overall male finishers
• Top three master’s female (40+) finishers
• Top three master’s male (40+) finishers
Please Note: Overall Winners will be excluded in the Age Group category.
New Garden Fresh Local Mushrooms will be awarded to the top 3 males and females in their age groups.
Age Group Awards
19 & Under
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70 & Over
Be sure to check your results after you finish. To see past award-winning times, visit past results.
PACKET PICK-UP
Race week will kick off with two packet picks ups!
Brews & Shoes on Sunday, 10/29 2-5pm
Join us at Philadelphia Runner in Glen Mills, Pa for shoe demos, beer mimosas, Tailwind samples, local delights, and 10% off in-store purchases.
505 Glen Eagle Square, Glen Mills, Pa
We have partnered with Got Sneakers and will be collecting gently used sneakers to be recycled! Runners who donate a gently used pair of running sneakers will be entered into a contest to win a brand new pair of running sneakers! Each donated pair of sneakers (must be gently used) qualifies for an entry.
OR,
Packet Pickup in Kennett Square on Friday, 11/3 5-7pm
600 S. Broad Street, Kennett Square, Pa 19328
Join us in Celebration Square at The Race Zone for shoe demos, Tailwind samples, and pre-race day entertainment.
*Race Day packet pickup is limited to out of town runners ONLY.
THE PACKET PICK UP PROCESS
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING: Photo ID
Important Details
• 10/29 Packet Pick Up parking is available onsite
• 11/3 Packet Pick Up parking is available onsite but limited. Overflow parking is available across South Street @ Kennett High School.
• Packet Pick Ups are for both events – Half Marathon & The 5 Miler
• Packets include your runner premium, bib, timing device, and safety pins
• Parents can pick up packets for children ages 17 and under.
• Racer Day packet pick-up is reserved for out of town participants and packets cannot be mailed.
RACE DAY PARKING
Parking in the downtown area is within walking distance of the start and finish line and is plentiful. There are two free lots:
• Kennett High School located off of South Street & Union Street (PA 82)
• The YMCA Outdoor Swimming Pool Lot located on South Walnut Street
Parking Meters are enforced in Kennett Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. If you prefer parking within a garage, Kennett Municipal Parking Garage is located on East Linden & North Union Street
Plan to arrive at least 45 – 30 minutes before your start time.
**CARS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARK ON RACE ROADS AND WILL BE TOWED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE
You can also read through our full traffic guide to see road closures throughout the borough and surrounding areas.
WATER STATIONS
“Best part of the half marathon”! “Each aid station pushed me further”! “Love Love Love this race's water stations, they really kept us going”!
Together with the help of our community partners and Tailwind Hydration, our water stations bring runners smiles, cheers, high fives, support and nourishment. This year there will be multiple water stations along the half marathon route, with two of them located on the 5 Miler course. Water stations will provide water and electrolytes. Be it zombies, superheros, or local shroomies cheering you on, this year’s aid stations are guaranteed to rock you on!
PORT-O-POTS
There will be port-a-pots at the start/finish of the race and along the half marathon and 5 mile course. Detailed information will be sent to runners prior to race day.
SPECTATING
Recommended spectating locations are as follows:
• Birch and Broad Sts.
• Walnut and Birch Sts.
• Anywhere along South Street between Walnut & S. Union
• Union Street & State Street (8:00AM-8:35AM)
• Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union Street
• Cedar Croft Street & S.Mill Road
• Poplar Tree Road & Wollaston Road
• S. Mill Road & State Street (parking lot)
• Victory Brewing Parking Lot – Cypress & S. Mill Road
• Broad Street & Birch
• Broad Street & South Street
Hank's Place is now open on the corner of Birch & Broad Street (just in front of the race start) and offering breakfast, grab and go on race morning!
POST-RACE FESTIVAL
9:00 am-1:00 pm
• After your run, bring your friends and family to celebrate! All runners receive 1 Beer, and post race recovery food.
• There will be food, a beer garden, corn hole, runner stretching, and music so you can get your dancing on!
• All Runners over 21 who would like to consume alcohol must be age verified via a license and receive a wristband. Alcohol will not be provided nor permitted to anyone without their ID. All alcohol (per PA law) must stay inside the designated beer garden.
• You must be 21+ to enter the beer garden.
• In addition to our offerings of Beer, Mimosas and Bloody Marys will also be available for purchase.
• Don’t want to bring your credit/debit cards when you run? We accept Cash, Credit Cards, ApplePay and Venmo!
TRAVEL + ACCOMMODATIONS
Get to know the course in advance with the official Half Marathon Map. Then, check out the Event Schedule and start planning your race day. Make reservations for a late lunch, visit Longwood Gardens, tour a mushroom farm, shop Kennett Square’s boutiques & speciality shops or just relax by the Brandywine. So much to see, so much to do. To find nearby hotels, cafes, breweries, restaurants, and more planning resources visit Kennett Collaborative.
PAST RESULTS
SPONSORS
Thank you to all of the sponsors and partners of the MCHM and FunGI 5 Miler! These relationships and the enthusiasm of the Kennett Square’s community and participants make this event possible!
OFFICIAL PARTNER SPONSORS
Run2Shine believes in offering businesses the unique opportunity to become an Official Partner within the event. We will create custom unique packages for businesses interested in health & wellness, product exclusivity, brand recognition, community outreach and/or corporate volunteer opportunities.
WHY BECOME A SPONSOR?
Join the movement and connect your brand with the running community of Southern Chester County. Hundreds of runners will get to know you and your brand. The Mushroom Cap Half Marathon is an exciting place to connect with the local community and promote your cause and business. Southern Chester County is centrally located between Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York, making it an attractive destination race for runners across the country.
CHARITY PARTNERS
Run2Shine, a non-profit 501(c)(3), was started in 2015 by two avid runners, Karen DiMascola and Sarah Nurry, who love running as much as they love giving. Together with the help of their community, Run2Shine produces The MCHM, an annual racing event that brings over 3000 people into Kennett Square celebrating all things running, mushrooms, health, community and helping others. To date, Run2Shine has donated $69,500 to local charitable partners that support members of local Chester County communities through advocacy, education, health, and aid to families in need.
Run2Shine is excited to offer the opportunity for non-profit organizations to utilize our event for your fundraising purposes.
For more information on our Run4Good Program, please email us Run2Shine Inc.
VOLUNTEER
Join the MCHM volunteer team! Your volunteer time benefits runners, walkers, guests and staff by providing help in a variety of areas, including course safety, start & finish line, packet pick-up, information and water distribution. And just as importantly, volunteers provide the energy and enthusiasm to help encourage our runners to the finish line!
Our volunteer shifts will take place at Packet Pick Up on October 29 & November 3 and on Race Day, November 19, 2023. Volunteers will receive an official volunteer t-shirt, refreshments during the shift and a huge thank you from the race team!
By helping to make the MCHM Event a successful community event, our full team of volunteers, staff, and supporters also help create economic opportunities for Kennett Square and Chester County by way of the number of runners and guests visiting Kennett Square for the race.
If you are in need of service hours, please consider helping us on race day!