Panther Prowl 5K
2025 Race Results!
Thank you to all the participants!

August 1, 2026

Registration now open!
7:00 a.m. Race Day Check-In
7:30 a.m. – Walkers Start
8:00 a.m.  – Runners Start

 

Nichols Park
at Park Street
Spencer, NY

Welcome to the 2026 Panther Prowl 5K

We are thrilled to announce that the Spencer Picnic and the SVE Alumni Association have teamed up for the 2026 Panther Prowl 5K Run/Walk!

Experience the energy of the crowd as this year’s race takes you directly through the heart of the Spencer Picnic parade route, where spectators will be lining the streets to cheer you on as they claim their spots for the big procession!

The Course

  • For Runners: A flat, fast, and officially measured 5K (3.1 mile) course.  Run fast, stay strong, have fun!
  • For Walkers: A well-marked 3K (1.9 mile) out-and-back loop. Whether you power walk or prefer to stroll, this is a perfect event for the entire family.
  • The Finish: Both routes start and end in beautiful Nichols Park.

Cash prizes are on tap again this year – $100 for first place and $50 for second place for the top two female and male finishers. First, second, and third place finishers in each gender and age group will also receive medals.  All participants in the walk receive a finish-line certificate. Tasty refreshments and beverages await you as you complete the course.

The Panther Prowl 5K is an open charity run/walk event for individual runners and walkers. Proceeds from this event help us to fund scholarships for SVE seniors pursuing college, university, and technical school education. Thanks to the tremendous generosity and continued support from our scholarship partners, sponsors, and donors, we now offer 16 annual scholarships across nine categories, totaling $46,000 in student support.

Early registration guarantees a limited-edition Panther Prowl 5K t-shirt; on-site registrants receive shirts while supplies last. Students: Look for the student discount on the registration page.

Come for the Prowl – Stay for the Fun!

The finish line is just the beginning. After the race, stick around Nichols Park with your friends and family to enjoy the parade, live music, special events, and the legendary community barbecue. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, August 1, 2026 and join this fun-filled event!

Panther Prowl 5K Event Sponsor

We are deeply grateful to our 2026 lead sponsor, Tioga State Bank (TSB).

TSB has joined us year after year to ensure the strength of our fund-raising efforts through this charitable event. A locally owned, independent community bank, TSB offers a full range of financial products and services. Giving back to the community has been a core value of Tioga State Bank for many years, and we are thrilled to have their continuing support.

Our community always steps up!  We appreciate the support from many other local and corporate business sponsors, our SVE alumni class groups, and numerous community members whose generosity makes our scholarship program possible.

Panther Prowl 5K Host

The Spencer Van Etten Alumni Association has been honored to host the Panther Prowl 5K since its launch in 2018. Our runners return year after year to support this important scholarship event. Although this is an open event, we especially love to have our SVE alumni participate with friends, neighbors, classmates and colleagues. It’s always a special treat to have current SVE students in the pack, running to support our scholarship fundraising efforts.

Volunteer!

Join in the fun as a volunteer! We’d love to have your help at this event.  Contact us today at info@svealumni.org You can also show your support by making a donation to the SVEAA scholarship fund.  The generosity of our alumni, scholarship partners and event sponsors makes our scholarship program possible.  Checks may be sent to SVE Alumni  Association, P.O. Box 216, Spencer, NY 14883; on-line donations can be made here.