YMCA Hop Dash 5K

With our friends at Tröegs Independent Brewing, we’ve provided this fun 5K in the Harrisburg/Hershey area since 2016. Swag includes sweet, exclusive Tröegs merch, beer, and a fun day at the brewery. We can’t wait to see you on the course!

Participants will be eligible for these highly coveted awards:

• Best Dressed (Male & Female): Let's see those amazing costumes!

• Best Beer Themed Costume

• Most Difficult Costume to Run in

The Hop Dash is a 5k race course that starts and ends at Tröegs Independent Brewing. And yes, there are some hills!

Click here for the Hop Dash course.

Overall awards

Awards will be given to top overall male and female finishers.

An award will also be given to the overall middle finisher.

Age group awards

Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70+.

Additional Awards

See Contest Categories tab.

Deferrals

• There will be no deferrals

• Registrants will have the option to switch to virtual or transfer their bib

Switch to Virtual

• No cost to switch to virtual

• Registrants can make change through Thursday, Sept 25th, by logging into their RunSignUp account

• After Sept 25th, please email julie.drabenstadt@ymcaharrisburg.org to switch to virtual

Bib Transfers

• No cost to transfer your bib to another participant

• Bib transfers must be initiated and completed by Thursday, Sept 25th

• Bib transfers are not permitted after Sept 25th

• Click here for instructions for how to transfer your race bib to a new participant

Where can I park?
There is a large field right beside Tröegs where participants can park.

CARPOOLING is a great idea. There are limited parking spots available and carpooling makes it easier for everyone.

Check out the race day parking page for more information.

I signed up but I cannot make the race, what are my options?
Here are two options to help:

• Switch to the virtual option:

  You can switch your entry to the virtual Hop Dash at no cost

• Transfer your race bib to someone else:

  You can transfer your race bib to another person at no cost.

  The deadline to initiate & complete a bib transfer is Thursday, September 25.

Can people under 21 take part in the race and attend the after-party?
Yes, under 21 can both participate in the race and attend the Hop Dash Bash. Only 21+ will be served.

Can I push a stroller during the race?
That's up to you. There may be some parts of the road that are uneven, so please use caution if you decide to push a stroller.

Will this race be timed?
Yes! We are excited to have FalconRaceTiming.com as the official chip timing company for this event.

Can people who are not participants come to the after-party?
Yes. All participants will get 2 vouchers for Tröegs product that can be used by themselves or share with a 21+ friend. Only 21+ may redeem the vouchers.

Can the drink vouchers be used at Tröegs Brewing Company?
The two drink vouchers that participants receive are only redeemable at the after-party on race day.

Will there be food?
Yes, there will be post-race food, which includes food for participants and food trucks.

Should I bring my ID?
Yes, you should bring your ID with you to the after-party.

Will there be beer for sale?
Yes! In addition to the two beers each participants receives, Tröegs Brewing Company will be onsite selling beer to spectators and participants.

We hope you are excited to cross the finish line to receive your race medal.

2025 Events

• Sunday, May 4, 2025: Halfity Half Marathon

• Wednesday, July 16, 2025: Harrisburg Mile

• Sunday, September 7, 2025: Harrisburg Half Marathon & 10K

• Saturday, October 4, 2025: Tröegs Hop Dash 5K

• Sunday, November 9, 2025: Harrisburg Marathon/Half/Relay

Limited spots available!

In person registration will be offered, while spots are available, at all packet pickups. The Tröegs Hop Dash 5K is capped at 1,000 participants. Once sold out, there will be no in person registration.

Race shirts are distributed on a first come first serve basis at packet pickup. Shirt size is not guaranteed.

In-person registration is available at Packet Pick-ups and on race day. All registrations are completed using a computer or mobile device. Paper registrations are not offered. You can continue to register using your personal computer or device through Friday, Oct 3rd at 6:00pm. Laptops will be available at packet pickups.

Race day registration is available on Saturday, Oct 4, 7-8:45am on Troegs. Race day registrations can be paid by credit card (RSU fees apply), check or exact cash. Please go to the REGISTRATION page to view race day registration costs. Race shirt sizes are not guaranteed.

Packet Pickup Times and Locations:

• Thursday, October 2, 2025

  • AppRunCo Camp Hill (94 S 32nd St Ste A, Camp Hill, PA 17011)

  • 4:30 - 7:30PM

• Friday. October 3, 2025

  • Tröegs Independent Brewing (200 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033)

  • 3:00 - 6:00PM 

• Saturday, October 4, 2025 (Race day)

  • Tröegs Independent Brewing (200 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033)

  • 7:00 - 8:45AM 

Virtual participants should not come to packet pickup. Please see the Virtual Participant tab for more information.
 
Can I pick up for another person? Yes, that is fine. If you do pick up the race packet for another person, please make sure they know. Otherwise, they may come to packet pick-up, not find their bib, and the race staff will have to assign a new bib for them.

How do I find my bib number? Prior to the first packet pickup, each participant will receive an email with their assigned bib number. You can also find your bib number by logging into your RunSignUp account (once bib numbers are assigned).

Can I pick up my bib on race morning? Yes, packet pickup is offered on race day morning (see schedule above). If you pick up on race day, please make sure you arrive early enough to park, get your bib, get carded, and be at the starting line on time.

T-shirts are distributed on a first come basis and shirt sizes are not guaranteed.

Parking and Carpooling

Parking will be available at Tröegs Independent Brewing in the large field beside the brewery. The parking lot will open at 7:00AM. We recommend all participants arrive and park by 7:45AM. The entrance to field parking will begin to close at 8:25AM; Hersheypark Drive will close shortly thereafter.

Please carpool as much as possible to help us expedite parking. Due to limited parking at Tröegs, we kindly ask that spectators ride along with participants. Please arrive as early as possible and give yourself plenty of time to park, pick up your packet and gear if needed, and be ready for the race to start at 9:00AM. Please note: this event ends at 12:00PM; all cars must be out of the field by 1:00PM.

Exiting After the Race

All cars parked in the field besides Tröegs will exit directly onto Hersheypark Drive through a marked exit. There will be personnel available to manage the exit onto Hersheypark Drive. The parking lot at Tröegs will be used for the post-race festivities, so this exit will allow cars to leave without having to navigate through the crowd.

Cars can exit as soon as the roads reopen shortly after 10:00 AM. If you want to stay past 1:00 PM at the Brewery, please move your car from the field to the Tröegs parking lot.

7:00-8:30 AM     Arrival, parking, packet pick-up, ID check, etc.
9:00 AM              5K Starts
10:00 AM            Course Closes
10:30 AM            Costume Awards

5K Run/Walk

• Aug 1 - Sept 25 - $60

• Sept 26 - Oct 3 - $65

  • Online registration closes at 6pm on Friday, 10/3

• Oct 4 (race day) - $65

Includes:

• Shirt

• Finisher medal

• 2 Tröegs beers

• After-party featuring live music, food trucks, and more!

• Enjoy the brewery once it opens, featuring food specials, tours, and more!

Virtual Option: $52

Includes:

• Shirt

• Finisher medal

• 2 Tröegs beers (only available if picked up at the brewery during packet pickup times)

The Tröegs Hop Dash 5K is capped at 1,000 participants.

*No Registration Refunds*

Virtual participants should not come to packet pickup. Your race packet, with your bib, shirt, and finisher medal, will be mailed to you.

For the virtual option, you can complete the distance at your convenience, on any course of your choice. To report your race time, you will go to the results page on the race website and enter your time by clicking on the option to submit your virtual time. The website is https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Hershey/TroegsHopDash. You will be able to submit your virtual results once the live results are posted.