Twilight Quad
This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the Mercer County Twilight QUAD, proudly standing as the oldest continuous running series in the region. Since its inception, the QUAD has become a mid-week summer tradition for thousands of local athletes. Across more than 140 events spanning four decades, over 50,000 finishers have crossed our finish lines.
Each event begins promptly at 7:00 PM on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer, testing participants on a variety of scenic, USA T&F certified courses across Mercer County:
QUAD I: The Strawberry Days 5K (Grove City) – Traditionally the flattest course of the series, utilizing the local bike trail system for a fast, smooth start to the summer.
QUAD II: The Dam Race (Sharpsville) – A unique out-and-back course that crosses right over the stunning Shenango Dam Causeway before turning around on a paved rails-to-trails path.
QUAD III: The Fredonia 5K (Fredonia) – A rolling, classic community course through downtown Fredonia that rewards runners with a gradual, half-mile downhill finish.
QUAD IV: Courtney’s Ice Cream Race (Grove City) – The grand finale of the series, featuring a rolling course that finishes outside the hospital complex and transitions directly into the famous post-race celebration.
The Commemorative Quad Award
The ultimate goal for many of our participants is the coveted Loyalty Award. Every year, more than 150 dedicated runners and walkers complete all four legs of the series to claim a unique, custom-designed commemorative prize. Over the years, these exclusive tracking souvenirs have included everything from custom embroidered towels and mugs to premium lawn chairs.
Specialty, collectible QUAD shirts will also be available for purchase on-site on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Youth QUAD Series
We believe in keeping the whole family moving. Every Twilight QUAD evening features a Half-Mile Children’s Run starting at 7:45 PM. Open to kids ages 11 and under, every youth participant receives a finisher's ribbon at the line, with special top-three placement awards broken down by age brackets from "5 & Under" up to 11.
Professional Timing & The Ice Cream Grand Finale
Every event in the series features professional chip-timing services provided by The Runner’s High, utilizing timing mats at every single mile marker so participants can track their precise split-times.
And we save the best for last: the series wraps up at the conclusion of the Ice Cream Race with our legendary All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Buffet, where finishers celebrate the end of the summer by devouring over 120 gallons of ice cream!
Whether you are chasing a personal record, walking with friends, or introducing your kids to the sport, the Twilight QUAD remains Mercer County’s premier summer running tradition.