Logo for the 5K Unified & AdaptXpo event. The number '5' is in bold black, while the letter 'K' is in bright blue. The word 'UNIFIED' is in uppercase black letters, partially overlaying the 'K.' To the right, '& AdaptXpo' is in a smaller black and blue font.
Register Today!

Mechanicsburg, PA

  • Date: May 31, 2025
  • Location: Messiah University
  • Time: 10:00 am

The countdown is on. Register today!

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Get Involved!

Register for the Race

Join us on May 31st at Messiah University for a celebration of inclusion and ability.

Sign-up Today
A start line picture of a variety of athletes with and without disabilities starting a road race.
Three men wearing matching navy blue "CMPT Central Mass Physical Therapy & Wellness" t-shirts stand together under a red canopy tent, smiling at the camera. The man on the left is wearing sunglasses and giving a thumbs-up, while the other two have their arms around each other. In the background, a person in a blue "Unified Health & Performance" shirt is lying on a table with their leg stretched, and event tents with banners and people are visible. The setting is outdoors on a sunny day.

Become a Volunteer

Get involved and be a volunteer at the race. Click the link below for more information.

Volunteer for the Race

Join us for the Expo

Are you an adaptive sports organization or a company that supports individuals with disabilities? Click the button below to inquire about exhibiting at our Pennsylvania AdaptXpo.

Become a Vendor or Exhibitor
Two athletes using forearm crutches engage in an adaptive soccer game on a grassy field, focusing on a green soccer ball. One wears a navy blue shirt and light blue shorts, while the other wears a black 'adaptX' shirt and gray shorts. Behind them, three other participants with crutches walk toward the game, smiling. A soccer goal and lush green trees are visible in the background.

Check out the Mechanicsburg Courses!

5k Route

A digital map displays a red route line tracking a path between Messiah University and the nearby Grantham area. The route starts and ends at the same location, marked with green and red dots near Messiah University. It extends westward, crossing Trout Run and passing through Grantham before looping around a small neighborhood near Gettysburg Pike. The path then returns along the same route back to the university. The background features labeled locations, including Grantham Park, Starry Athletic Fields Complex, and Lacrosse Turf Field, along with roads, waterways, and green spaces.
A line graph labeled "Elevation" depicts elevation changes over a distance of approximately 2.5 miles. The y-axis ranges from 329 ft to 576 ft, while the x-axis represents distance in miles. The elevation starts at 478 ft, initially fluctuates, then dips below 410 ft before gradually rising again. The highest point reaches 494 ft, with a total elevation gain of 154 ft. Dotted horizontal lines mark elevation intervals, and key statistics (Start: 478 ft, Max: 494 ft, Gain: 154 ft) are displayed in the upper right corner.

One Mile Route

A digital map displays a red route line tracking a path through Messiah University. The route starts and ends at the same location, marked with green and red dots. It passes by landmarks such as Old Main, Falcon Fitness Center, and various residence halls. The path follows University Ave, loops around a parking lot near Old Main, extends along Grantham Rd, and includes a rectangular detour near the volleyball court before returning to the starting point. The background features labeled buildings, roads, and green spaces.
A line graph labeled "Elevation" displays the elevation changes over a distance of approximately 0.7 miles. The y-axis represents elevation in feet, ranging from 361 ft to 576 ft, while the x-axis represents distance in miles. The elevation starts at 478 ft, with minor fluctuations, reaching a maximum of 494 ft and a total elevation gain of 35 ft. Dotted horizontal lines mark elevation intervals, and key statistics (Start: 478 ft, Max: 494 ft, Gain: 35 ft) are listed in the upper right corner.

Thank you to our Mechanicsburg Sponsors!

Local sponsor announcement coming soon!

Become a Sponsor

Community Impact

A male runner with a prosthetic blade on his right leg is mid-stride on a paved path, illuminated by the golden light of the setting sun. He wears a white t-shirt, brown shorts, a black cap, and running shoes, with his arms pumping in rhythm. The background features an open grassy field, a soccer goal, and distant trees, with warm sunlight streaming through the scene.

Blade Donation

Thanks to our partnership with Less Leg More Heart, we will be donating a running blade to an amputee at every race. Click the button below if you are interested in applying to be the recipient.

Apply for a Running Blade

Racing Chair Donation

At each race we’ll be donating a Hoyt Running chair, Handcycle, or Push-rim Wheelchair

Apply for a Racing Chair
A diverse group of athletes, including wheelchair racers and handcyclists, lines up at the starting line of a race, with a large crowd of runners and spectators behind them. In the foreground, three adaptive athletes are focused and ready: one using a handcycle, another in a racing wheelchair wearing an orange helmet, and a third in a green wheelchair wearing a beanie and gloves. The background features runners in colorful athletic gear, many wearing race bibs, some clapping or cheering. The scene is energetic and inclusive, with a mix of athletes of different abilities preparing for the race.
A spacious, well-lit gym features weightlifting equipment, resistance bands, and various fitness machines. In the foreground, a squat rack holds colorful weight plates labeled "UMAX" in green, yellow, and blue. Resistance bands hang from the rack, and a wooden lifting platform is visible below. In the background, dumbbell racks, cable machines, and cardio equipment line the gym, with a neatly organized rack of medicine balls in various colors. The gym has blue support columns, large windows allowing natural light, and exposed ductwork along the ceiling.

Adaptive Fitness Beneficiary

The Falcon Fitness Center at Messiah University will be our 2025 Adaptive Fitness beneficiary. Their staff will complete the AdaptX curriculum, and we will help outfit the facility with equipment to support their adaptive athletes.

Learn More about the Falcon Fitness Center

Meet the Team

Nate Nester

Race Director
Nate Nester is a Licensed Athletic Trainer in the state of Pennsylvania and an NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist. He has spent his career working with athletes in a variety of settings and has used his experience across the health spectrum. He has experience working with patients immediately after surgery through their return to competition or activities of daily living. He has also recently completed an adaptive certification course through AdaptX and is working on developing more inclusive programming to offer opportunities for all individuals to pursue their health and wellness journey at Messiah University. He is dedicated to helping his clients reach their health and fitness goals through personalized programming and evidence-based practice.

Kayla Kittlitz

Race Director
Kayla Kittlitz is an Applied Health Science major in a 5-Year Accelerated Occupational Therapy Program. As part of her role at Messiah she has had the opportunity to work alongside and participate in the development of Messiah University’s adaptive fitness program for spinal cord injury patients. She has found an unexpected passion for the field and for empowering individuals in accomplishing their fitness goals. She remains excited to learn and grow in the field of adaptive fitness as she continues to work alongside clients and develop programs that encourage and strengthen them. As she transitions into graduate school in the fall, she looks forward to discovering opportunities to combine her love for Occupational Therapy and her work with those who have experienced spinal cord injuries.

Make a Donation

Donate to AdaptX
Donate through a DAF