THON 5K to impact campus traffic, parking and transit on Sunday, Oct. 26 – Penn State University

Report on the THON 5K Fun Run/Walk: Community Health and Sustainable Development

This report outlines the logistical details and community impact of the upcoming THON 5K Fun Run/Walk at Penn State, with a specific focus on the event’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The THON 5K is a community-wide initiative designed to promote physical activity and wellness for all ages, directly supporting the targets of SDG 3. By encouraging participation in a fun run and walk, the event fosters a culture of health. Furthermore, the event’s core mission is to raise funds for children battling cancer, contributing to improved health outcomes and well-being for a vulnerable population group, in line with SDG 3 and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Event Logistics and Schedule

Timeline of Activities

• 10:40 a.m.: Commencement of the Kids’ Race.
• 11:00 a.m.: Commencement of the 5K Fun Run/Walk.

Official 5K Route

The race will follow the University’s standard 5K route, originating on Curtin Road near Beaver Stadium:

1. East on Curtin Road to Porter Road
2. South on Porter Road to Hastings Road
3. West on Hastings Road to Bigler Road
4. North on Bigler Road to Pollock Road
5. West on Pollock Road to Fraser Road
6. North on Fraser Road to Curtin Road
7. East on Curtin Road to the Bryce Jordan Center

Parking Facilities

Designated event parking will be available at the Jordan East and Stadium West lots.

Impact on Infrastructure and Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

The event necessitates temporary modifications to campus transportation infrastructure to ensure participant safety, a key component of creating sustainable and resilient communities as outlined in SDG 11.

Road Closures

• Curtin Road (University Drive to Porter Road): Closed from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Kids’ Race setup and duration.
• Main Race Route (Porter, Hastings, Pollock, Fraser, Curtin Roads): Affected sections will be closed from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with roads reopening on a rolling basis as the event progresses.

Affected Parking Areas

Access to the following campus parking areas will be impacted during the closures:

• Lot 22
• Lot 42
• Lot 81
• Lot 83
• Orange H
• Orange T
• Yellow H
• Yellow V
• Yellow M
• Yellow T (section near Pollock Commons)
• Silver B
• Silver J
• Silver N
• Yellow F (Eisenhower Deck and surface lot)
• Yellow S
• Brown C
• Brown B
• Old Main
• Brown E
• Yellow L
• Yellow E
• Yellow R

Public Transportation Adjustments (CATA)

In support of the event, CATA bus services will be rerouted, demonstrating the adaptability of public transit systems, a critical element of SDG 11. Courtesy stops will be honored on Park Avenue.

• White Loop, Blue Loop, and Red Link: These routes will be detoured to service Beaver Avenue, University Drive, East College Avenue, Puddintown Road, Orchard Road, Park Avenue, and North Atherton Street before resuming normal routing.
• NV Route: This route will be detoured from Toftrees via Fox Hollow Road, Park Avenue, Orchard Road, Puddintown Road, and East College Avenue before resuming its normal route.

Inter-Agency Collaboration for the Goals (SDG 17)

The successful execution of this event relies on strong multi-stakeholder partnerships, reflecting the principles of SDG 17. The collaboration between Penn State Transportation Services, University Police and Public Safety, and CATA exemplifies a coordinated effort to achieve a common community health objective.

Contact Information

• Parking Questions:
  • Penn State Transportation Services
  • 814-865-1436
  • parking@psu.edu
• Traffic Questions:
  • University Police and Public Safety
  • 814-863-1111
  • police@psu.edu
• CATA Questions:
  • Contact information for CATA should be sought directly from the agency.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     The article focuses on the “THON 5K Fun Run/Walk,” an event that directly promotes physical activity. Engaging in activities like running and walking is a key component of a healthy lifestyle and contributes to the prevention of non-communicable diseases, thus promoting overall health and well-being for the participants and the community.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     The article extensively details the management of public infrastructure and services to accommodate the event. It lists numerous road closures (“Curtin Road … will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.”) and significant adjustments to public transportation (“The following CATABUS route detours will be in effect”). This relates to making cities inclusive, safe, and resilient by managing urban mobility and ensuring public safety during large-scale community events.

   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

     The successful execution of the event, as described in the article, relies on the collaboration of multiple organizations. The “Contact Information” section explicitly names “Penn State Transportation Services,” “University Police and Public Safety,” and “CATA” as responsible parties for different aspects of the event’s logistics. This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership between a university, public safety services, and a public transportation authority to achieve a common goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

     The “5K Fun Run/Walk” is a community event that encourages physical fitness, which is a primary method of preventing many non-communicable diseases and promoting well-being.

   • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety…

     The article’s detailed description of road closures and CATABUS detours is a direct measure to improve road safety for the event’s participants and manage the city’s transport system effectively during the race.

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

     The coordination required between the event organizers, Penn State Transportation Services, University Police, and CATA exemplifies a public and civil society partnership working to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • For Target 3.4: The article implies an indicator through the event itself. A direct indicator would be the number of individuals participating in the organized physical activity event (the 5K Fun Run/Walk).
   • For Target 11.2: The article provides evidence for an indicator related to urban planning and safety. The indicator is the implementation of a temporary traffic management and public transport rerouting plan to ensure public safety during a large community event. The detailed list of closed roads and bus detours serves as evidence of this plan.
   • For Target 17.17: The article implies an indicator by listing the collaborating entities. The indicator is the existence of a formal partnership between university departments, public safety officials, and public transport authorities for a community event. The specific contact information for each organization confirms this collaboration.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: psu.edu