Question 1

What else is there to do race weekend in Scranton?

Accepted Answer

Valley In Motion’s The Office 5K kicks off in Scranton on Saturday, May 2 at 1pm! Presented by Kizik Hands Free Shoes, this year’s celebrity guest is Bobby Ray Shafer, Jr., aka “Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration” of The Office. With 1,800 expected runners and walkers, VIM has partnered with dozens of organizations to create a weekend of fun in the Lackawanna Valley. In addition to the 5K, other events include:

ALL WEEKEND
Comedy: Four Office-themed shows at Electric City Improv. SHOWS FRIDAY MAY 1ST and SATURDAY MAY 2ND at 6:30PM and 8:30PM
Activity: The Office Guided Walking Tours all weekend hosted by NEPA Tour Co.
Activity: Nevermind Escape Rooms in the Steamtown Mall will give 15% off their Office-themed Escape Room when you use the discount code OFFICEFIVEK
Sporting Event: The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are providing every racer a two-ticket voucher in their race bag! It’s good for any one of three baseball games on the Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of the May 1 weekend. Be sure to catch Bobby Ray Shafer, Jr throwing out the first pitch at Friday's game!

FRIDAY, MAY 1
Meet and Greet: Reception at The Office Exhibit at the Everhart Museum from 3:30-5pm on Friday, May 1 will feature Bobby Ray Shafer, Jr
BAR SCENE: The Office Trivia at Scranton Art Haus 6:30-8:30 on Friday, May 1. Scranton Art Haus will also host The Office series in Theater 8, Thursday through Sunday (free popcorn if you bring your race bib).
The Arts: NEPA Philharmonic's Planets, Moons, and Star Wars™ on Friday, May 1, 7:00pm, with a 10% discounts when you use code OFFICE

SATURDAY, MAY 2
MERCH: The Office 5K Afterparty Pop Up at Scranton Public Market, Saturday, May 2nd 12:00-5:00pm
BAR SCENE: Post-Race Bar Crawl hosted by NEPA Tour Co will start at 5:00pm on Saturday, May 2
Comedy: Punchlines & Pretzels Comedy Show on Saturday, May 2, 7:00-9:00pm at Downtown Deli.
Sporting Event: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are returning to the Calder Cup Playoffs against the Hershey Bears in the battle of I-81 -Saturday, May 2nd at 6:05PM! The Office 5KFamily may purchase BOGO Tickets here!

SUNDAY, MAY 3
Coffee Specials for racers with their race bibs at Electric City Roasting on Sunday, May 3, in Dunmore

Question 2

Can I register on the day of the race?

Accepted Answer

Yes! From 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at 523 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18503 Day of will be $40!

Question 3

Will I receive an Official Season 5 TShirt?

Accepted Answer

Participants who register by April 19 11:59pm EDT are guaranteed a shirt!

Question 4

Will I see an Office Cast Member at the race?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Follow our social pages and subscribe to our email list for the latest updates on Celeb appearances!

Question 5

When Can I pick Up My Race Packet?

Accepted Answer

There will be a packet pick-up for all pre-registered runners from 4 to 7 PM on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Cooper's Seafood House, 701 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

Day of Registration/Packet Pick-Up:  11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at 523 Linden Street, Scranton, PA 18503.

Question 6

Will there be a Costume Contest? How do I enter?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

This year, in order to showcase all the amazing costumes and give them the attention they deserve, we will start off with a celebration of costumes.
 
If you want to be considered for a costume award, here is your schedule:
 
11:30-12:00 – Arrive at the race start dressed with bib on and ready to strut your stuff. Get a free photo taken by our photographer. Await further instructions.

12:00-12:30 -  Strut on the runway in front of the judges (and other fans). We will be making announcements onsite about how this will transpire.

1:00pm – Race start. You are not required to finish the race to win a costume award, but you must be registered and photographed beforehand in costume.

2:15pm (Approximately, waiting for race finishers) - Costume awards and Runner Awards.

Question 7

What are the Season 5 Costume Contest Award Categories?

Accepted Answer

-Best in Show - Bring your best!
-Best Kids Costume - Our race is family-friendly! Get creative and have some fun!
-Best Season 5 Reference - Time to put Season 5 on repeat!
-Best Pet - Pet costumes welcome!
-Best Duo - Two best who came to be judged together!
-Best Group Best 3 or more, preferably using a single theme!
-Kelly’s most talked about - The crowd gets a vote so get out there and be the most talked about!
-Busiest Beaver - Most effort in costume presentation!
-The Finer Things Club’s Award for Excellence - Best Main Cast Deep Cut -  most clever, unexpected, or subtle costume based on a main cast member!
-Secret Secrets - Best deep cut, non-main cast member. Shout out to past guest star Jackie Debatin “secret secrets are no fun...”
-Employee of the month - CEO Award-shout out to past guest star Andy Buckley
-Most Likely to be fired by corporate. This is the most inappropriate, while obeying all local obscenity laws.

Question 8

I’m not a runner I just want to compete in the costume contest! Do I need to register?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Simply register as a 1Mile walker to ensure you are included in the costume contest! We won't make you walk (we promise).

Question 9

Are there awards?

Accepted Answer

YES!

Top male and female finishers, top male and female masters finishers, and top three finishers in each of the below age groups will win awards as well.
0-12
13-18
19-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70+

As well as Costume Contest Awards!

2:15pm (Approximately, waiting for race finishers) - Costume awards and Runner Awards.

Question 10

I’m not fast. Will I get a medal?

Accepted Answer

There are medals for the first 2,000 finishers!

Question 11

Why are there only 2,000 medals?

Accepted Answer

The race is held to benefit a local non-profit (VIM) & every single one of the 2,000 custom-made medals was very generously donated. This keeps our race ticket costs to an affordable $30 for our community members!

Question 12

Is there a Bag Check run walkers and runners?

Accepted Answer

Bag check opens:  12:30 p.m.
Bag check closes (must pick up bag by then):  2:30 p.m.

Runners and walkers may check one bag at the bag check, which will be located at the registration area, starting 30 minutes before the race start.  Those leaving bags must label their bag with their corresponding race number, which they must display to reclaim the bag after the run/walk.  Labels will be available at the registration table to affix to the bag.   All bags must be picked up by then.

Valley in Motion/The Office 5k is not responsible for lost or unclaimed bags.

Please understand that any items left at bag check are left at your own risk. The race assumes no liability for lost bags or the contents of lost bags. Unclaimed bags will be returned to the race office, held for 10 days and then disposed of. Under no circumstances should any items of value be left in bag check bags.

Please Be Aware:
Your belongings are checked at your own risk. The Office 5k race and race sponsors are not responsible for damaged, lost and/or stolen items.
Please do not leave valuables.
Unclaimed bags will be returned to the race office and held for 10 days.

Question 13

Where do I Park for the race?

Accepted Answer

Street parking is free in Scranton on weekends
Paid parking is available in three parking garages around the starting line

Question 14

Where do the race proceeds go?

Accepted Answer

Race proceeds benefit Valley In Motion, a non-profit strengthening sense of community across the Lackawanna Valley. More information about VIM at www.valleyinmotion.org or on Facebook and Instagram at @valleyinmotion.

Race Day Information

Schedule of Events:

Frequently Asked Questions