Phoenixville's Burn Off the Bird 5K

In its 17th year, Burn Off the Bird is a family tradition in the Phoenixville region. Bring out your family, friends, neighbors, and classmates for a 5K Race on the scenic Schuylkill River Trail; or a virtual 5K at the location of your choosing. This event guarantees to help you digest that Thanksgiving Meal!

If you care for more running leftovers, sign up for both Burn Off the Bird and The Leftovers Run hosted by the RUNegades for a discounted price! 

Be sure to register by November 1st 2026 to guarantee you receive this year's race shirt in the size of your choosing - there will be some extra shirts available after the race, but those who register after the deadline will not be guaranteed to receive one, nor guaranteed their preferred size! All participants will receive a medal.

Volunteers:

We are always looking for volunteers to help as Course Marshals (direct runners and potentially traffic), as well as with Registration, Set Up, Clean Up, and the Water Station. Sign up link coming soon - or reach out via the contact form here.

Race Options:

We have two registration options for you to pick from:

• 5K Registration – Each 5K registration comes with a soft cotton t-shirt if registered by November 2nd, and all participants will receive a custom medal!

• Virtual 5K Registration - You receive all the swag of the in-person 5K registration, but get to avoid the crowd and run at the location of your choosing!

Location: 

The race starts and ends at the Phoenixville Recreation Center parking lot in Phoenixville, PA. Participant parking will be available at the Rec Center parking lot.

Please note: The Franklin Ave entrance to the parking lot will be closed. Please enter via Fillmore Street. Overflow parking is available across the street at Franklin Commons and race day volunteers will be on site to direct traffic. Day-of registration and bib pickup will be inside the Rec Center.

Click here for MapMyRun link

Click here for labeled Google map including water stop & parking info

Swag Details:

All 5K participants (in-person and virtual) who register by November 1, 2026 will receive a soft cotton t-shirt and custom medal. Participants who register after that will not be guaranteed to receive a t-shirt.

Bib & Swag Pickup:

We recommend that you pick up your bib & swag early - so all you have to do on race day is show up and run! Early pickup will take place at the Phoenixville Rec Center (501 Franklin Ave., Phoenixville) on Saturday November 21st, 11AM-1PM. 

You can also pick up your bib and swag on race day (November 28th) at Phoenixville Recreation Center between 8:30AM and 9:15AM. 

Swag for virtual runners will not be mailed - you will need to pick it up either during early pickup or before the race. If need be, you can send a friend on your behalf!

Other notes:

• Please consider picking up your bibs and swag early to help things move quickly on the day of the race

• Please dress for the weather! In previous years it has been very cold and windy

• Our race is chip-timed, allowing us to stagger runners and prevent crowds without impacting race times

Leftovers Run: 

Again this year, we are partnering with the Phoenixville RUNegades to offer runners a multi-race discount if they sign up for both the Burn Off the Bird 5k and the RUNegades' Leftovers Run which takes place the following day, November 29th!

Submitting Race Results (Virtual Runners Only):

Once you complete your run go to Results to submit your race time. Submitting race results is optional. 

The Charity:

Proceeds generated from the race benefit the Phoenixville Jaycees Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change in their communities. We organize several other events in Phoenixville including the Dogwood Festival in May, and Firebird Festival in December. Please see our website if you'd like to become a member or are interested in volunteering! Members get to participate in our membership events and receive many other benefits. https://www.phoenixvillejaycees.org/

The Jaycees will also once again be partnering with Ann's Heart, a public 501 (c)(3) charity organization with the mission of providing a place of welcome and human services to all Phoenixville area people. Ann's Heart opened one of Chester County's first Code Blue Overnight Emergency Warming Centers in 2016, and provides this as well as other critical services to the community. Find out more at https://www.annsheart.org/ 

Results:

Click HERE for race results.