2012 Special Olympics Pennsylvania Beaver Stadium Run
In Honor of Joe Paterno  

Presented by

About the Run:

A Penn State Blue-White Weekend tradition continued on Sunday, April 22, 2012 when runners and walkers of all ages and abilities took part in the Third Annual Special Olympics PA Beaver Stadium 5K Run/Family Fun Walk in Honor of Joe Paterno at Penn State University. Presented by Chesapeake Energy, the Run began in front of the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC) on Curtin Road, moved through Penn State’s scenic campus, and concluded with runners racing through the Beaver Stadium Tunnel onto the Nittany Lions’ home turf to “finish at the fifty.”

The Beaver Stadium Run garnered more than 3,000 participants and raised nearly $300,000, making it the single largest fundraising event in Special Olympics PA history!!!  The event more than doubled its participants from last year, and tripled the amount of money raised. 

In honor of Joe Paterno, the Run featured five new incentive levels linked to his greatest achievements both on and off the field.  All participants automatically become members of “Team Paterno” by reaching the minimum fundraising level of $62 (in honor of Paterno’s seasons with Penn State University).  “Team Paterno” was not an actual running team but an honorary event team achieved by reaching an individual fundraising level of $62 and above.  Many “Team Paterno” participants wore a one of a kind long‐sleeved, blue and white Paterno Tribute shirt and qualified to receive additional “JoePa” inspired items.

The Beaver Stadium Run is a Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) that included individuals from law enforcement; Special Olympics Pennsylvania (SOPA) athletes; various Penn State University athletes and organizations; the community; the Paterno family; and Franco Harris, the official starter for the Run and Hall of Fame Steelers Running Back .  For those who were not up to running the 5K, a one-mile Family Fun Run/Walk was offered. 

2012 Beaver Stadium Run Major Sponsors

The Paterno Family     

 The Meder Family     

Michael and Patty Kirschner     

Di and Dallas Krapf

Kenneth Frazier     

Franco and Dana Harris

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.     

Lamar Advertising Company

 CBS Outdoor

Premier Media

For more information, please email Demika Poole at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it