SCRANTON — An “Office”-themed 5K, which has become an annual tradition and not just for locals or diehard fans, was held for the fourth time on Saturday.
The event brings out people from across the area, the state, and beyond to celebrate “The Office,” an NBC sitcom which wrapped up in 2013, but remains a favorite for many.
It also goes far beyond a simple race, which starts in the shadow of the Electric City sign, and takes runners past “The Office” mural, Penn Paper, Cooper’s, the Dwight Schrute mural and other landmarks.
Rather, it is a full-on celebration of the show, which ran nine seasons from March 24, 2005, to May 16, 2013 and was set at the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, a fictional paper and office supplies wholesale company.
Since then, the sitcom has appeared on television reruns, streaming platforms and social media, all of which have captured new generations of fans.
Many travelled from out of state and stayed for the weekend, visiting local restaurants and businesses.
In its fourth year, the event embodies the words of Michael Scott, one of the show’s main characters, who said, “Ain’t no Party Like a Scranton Party, ‘Cause a Scranton Party Don’t Stop.” Scott is played by actor Steve Carell.
The event spoofs the “Michael Scott’s Dunder Mifflin Scranton Meredith Palmer Memorial Celebrity Rabies Awareness Pro-Am Fun Run Race For The Cure”
It raises money for Valley In Motion, a nonprofit strengthening sense of community across the Lackawanna Valley.
Keirnon McDermott dressed as “Kevin” from the NBC sitcom “The Office” demonstrates how the character attempted to scoop chili into a pot after he spilled it. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Spectators cheer on runners during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Trinity Miller, Scranton, dressed as Dwight Schurte followed by Sarah Giacalone, Hopewell Junction, N.Y., race towards the finish line during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Caleb Rice, Hamilton, Va., rounds the corner towards Linden St.during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Katy Denault, Easton, greets supporters while running the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Chris Campion, Scranton, holds a “World’s Best Boss” mug during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Megan Lamanna, New Providence, N.J., runs in the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Danielle and Justin Sanders, Rock Hill, S.C., round the corner onto Liden St. during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Sarah, Maverick, and Ryan Goss hold hands as they reach the finish line during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Anne Wolf and Jeppe Thoroe hold hands as they approach the finish line during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Supporters prepare to cheer on participants before the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Office 5K participants gather outside the Backyard Ale House in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Dwight the dog, dressed as his namesake, poses for a photo before walking in the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Heather and Jeff Irvin, Bethlehem, snap a photo with Jackie Debatin, who played Elizabeth the Stripper in the show, before the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The husband and wife pair are huge fans of the show. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Rachael Haller, Endicott, N.Y., inches towards to the finish line during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Rebekah and Jess Beattie, Ottawa, Canada, pose for a photo with the Dundie award before the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The cousins and best friends say they’re “big nerds” when it comes to the “Office”. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Costumed walkers take off from the starting line during the Office 5K in downtown Scranton on Saturday, May 3, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Enjoying the city
Keirnon McDermott and Tasha Whited drove in from Massachusetts to spend a weekend in Scranton, which included a trip to Cooper’s Seafood House and Nay Aug Park.
McDermott was dressed as Kevin Malone, a character in the show who drops a huge pot of homemade chili and then tries to scoop it up. He readily dropped to his knees to demonstrate how the character, played by Brian Baumgartner, did it.
Whited is a serious runner and got downtown early to stretch and plan her strategy for finishing the race with a good time.
Both are actors and say they very much enjoyed the colorful and creative vibe the event offered.
“I’ve been able to visualize the characters while I’m here,” Whited said.
Jacob Witt and Taylor Oakes, of Virginia, are also diehard fans of The Office, having watched reruns for the last several years.
Witt was dressed like Michael Scott during an episode in which he tries to “tough it out” in the woods.
“I’ve watched every episode seven times,” Witt said.
Oakes was dressed as Sprinkles the Cat, Angela’s beloved cat who Dwight killed by placing it in the freezer – while it was still alive.
Angela was played by Angela Kinsey, and Dwight was played by Rainn Wilson.
Jacob Brenner of Columbus, Ohio arrived in Scranton at 2 a.m. Saturday.
A huge fan of the show, he dressed as Meredith, played by Kate Flannery, when she was in the hospital, complete with a hospital gown and balloon.
“I think people are trying to see how goofy they can be,” Brennen said.
When asked if the city lived up to his expectations of what was depicted in the show, he said, “This feels like Scranton.”
Celebrity visit
Jackie Debatin, who played Elizabeth the stripper in several episodes of the show, was a featured guest Saturday.
Debatin, who grew up on a dairy farm, said she always enjoyed a visit to Scranton, which she considered a “big city.”
She was featured on several episodes, including “Fun Run,” where Office co-workers ran a 5K to support a cure for rabies.
She said the continued popularity of the show and the warm reception actors always received during a visit “blew her mind.”