The fifth annual Cocoa Bean Run occurred on November 30th, 2019 at the Penn State Hershey University Fitness and Conference Center. Runner Fred Joslyn came in first place with a time of 17:46.

The Cocoa Bean Run raises money for local food banks and emergency food box initiative, where in various patient clinics there are boxes of food for families in need. The course is a 5k that follows the John Eshenour trail. The runners met at nine in the morning to jog, walk, or run the course. 

Fred Joslyn, the winner of the race, is a 35 year old runner from Mount Holly Springs. “I love that this is a community oriented race,” Joslyn said, “We sort of have this combination of local feel, friendly atmosphere and we’re doing something positive for the community, which I think is wonderful.”

Marjorie Lebo directed the race. She has been a runner herself for about 40 years, and currently works as a nurse practitioner at the Penn State Medical Center. She started this event and has been with it ever since.

Running is a passion for Lebo, and when she combined that love with her desire to help others, she started the Cocoa Bean Run. She said that to “take something that you have a passion [for] and help people with it” is something that she encourages herself and her children to do as much as they can. Starting this race is a direct example of how she follows this saying.

Lebo also commented on the atmosphere of the race. “The runners are so friendly,” Lebo said, “My friends help and volunteer for the event, so it’s just good all around.”