7th Annual James D. Hill Run to Read

The James D. Hill Run to Read is a 5K and 1-Mile run/walk celebrating Jim's love for running and reading. Since 2019, we've donated nearly $39,000 to Reading Is Fundamental and the Scranton Public Library. This is a family-friendly event - bring your kids for climbing, face painting, book giveaways, fun and games! For more information, please keep reading...

Pricing

• June 1 - June 30: $20 Live / $10 Virtual
• July 1 - July 31: $25 Live / $15 Virtual
• Race Weekend (August 1 - August 2): $30 Live (in-person registration at packet pickup) / $20 Virtual

Live Event Info

Date  

Saturday, August 2, 2025 - 9:00 AM 5K Race and 1-Mile Fun Run, immediately followed by Awards, Raffles, and Refreshments

Location  

Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, Olive St. Trailhead. The 5K and 1-mile run/walk are out and back courses on the paved trail, both starting and finishing at the Half Marathon Pavilion.

Packet Pickup

• Friday, August 1: 3 -7 PM at Scranton Running Company (3 West Olive Street)
• Saturday, August 2: starting at 8 AM under the Half Marathon Pavilion

Awards

Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female runners. Medals will be awarded to the top three males and females in the following age groups: 0-29, 30-59, 60+

Raffle

50-50 cash raffle + prizes following awards at the Live Run!

Special Guests

• Reading Is Fundamental with book giveaways and activities for the kids!
• Albright Memorial Library with their world famous pop-up library!
• PicNick Entertainment with their Park and Play mobile climbing trailer + face painting for the kids!

Virtual Event Info

Run your virtual 5K anytime from Friday, August 1, through Sunday, August 3, wherever you’d like, and then submit your results at the following link: Submit Virtual Results

Awards

Medals for top overall male and female, plus medals for Farthest from Scranton, Oldest, Youngest, Best Photo, and Largest Contribution.

Results

Results for the race will be at the following link: James D. Hill Run to Read Live Results. Please note virtual results are updated as race submissions come in.

Proceeds Benefiting 

• Reading Is Fundamental, the leading voice for children’s literacy in the U.S.
• The James D. Hill Memorial Fund, used to purchase new books at Scranton’s Albright Memorial Library.

Our Story

All those that knew Jim Hill well, knew his first and deepest love was for his family. But they also likely got dragged to a race or had to hear about a book or article, since he was eager to share his love for running and reading. His favorite part of road races was the sense of community and camaraderie; he was more than happy to start at the back of the pack and take his time. It was more about connecting and meeting new people than setting or breaking records. He participated in hundreds of races over the years, ranging from 5Ks to full marathons, even finishing the Steamtown Marathon in 2010 at age 67.

He loved libraries so much that we have pictures of him in front of countless libraries visited on trips all over the U.S. and a few in other countries. After he passed, people made donations to the Albright Memorial Library in his memory and in turn, the library set up the James D. Hill Memorial Fund. That generosity planted a seed for us to continue and grow Jim's legacy by organizing this race in his honor.

He would be flashing his bright smile to know that we've been doing this for six years now, especially because we're supporting the library and children's literacy. He always loved and connected with kids and in fact, was a big kid himself - one of the below photos was taken at the Anastasia Island Branch of the St. John's County Public Library. It was his first time volunteering there and when they asked him to dress up for Halloween, he waddled right up!

Jim was the sweetest and most selfless man we'll ever know. We lost him in 2016 after he suffered a heart attack during a 5K race in Scranton, PA. Along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, you will find a tree we planted with a plaque in his memory. Please be sure to give him a wave or a positive thought, or take a selfie when you pass by during the race.

Please join us again in celebrating Jim and his love for life, running and reading!

With sincere gratitude and to sign off as he would have...

At Your Service,

The Hill Family

Our Mission

Our mission is to grow Jim's legacy of compassion and understanding, connecting people of all colors, shapes and speeds (running and reading), through our shared love for exercise of body and mind.