As "Eye of the Tiger" played over the loudspeaker in the Palmerton Borough Park, close to 300 people were led through a runner's warm-up for the annual Raising the House 5K run/walk.

Pleasant Valley Middle School Principal Rocco Seiler led the group through lunges, stretches and good old-fashioned jumping jacks before runners took their mark on the start line at 10 a.m."It's a perfect day for a run," Seiler said.Committee member Jill Kuzo credited the warm morning temperature for the large turnout."We had a lot of last-minute registrations. I think people were waiting to see if it was going to rain," she said.Kuzo said this year's turnout was a close match to the 2013 run where 400 community members turned out to remember and honor Palmerton Area School District educator and football coach Blaine R. House.Mr. House was a teacher in the district for 30 years before his sudden passing in 2013. Proceeds raised by the event are used to give financial assistance to students and families within the Palmerton Area School District in his memory.In addition to donating the funds raised to the nonprofit, a $500 scholarship is awarded to a Palmerton area senior student."We raise money for students in need and to help them move forward in their career. It's a great cause," Seiler said. "It is very important in the community.""Mr. House was our son's teacher and one of the best educators I've known. Education is so important in communities, so this is a really great cause."Runners range in age from 5 to 50 years old, Kuzo said.The route took runners around the borough streets, where 10-year-old Meghan Haines said, "The hill at the end is the biggest challenge."The Schnecksville resident and her family brought along their chocolate Labrador Jack, dressed in orange race T-shirt to join in the support."He loves the attention," Karyn Haines said.The Haines family has signed up for the race every year since its inception."My husband Jim was a teacher here in Palmerton and we have a tight relationship with the family. Blaine House made a big impact on the school community."Dedicated fitnessgoers Alyssa Fabian of Lehighton and Ann Behler of Palmerton, said they trained at the local workout spot to prepare for the 3.5 mile run/walk event."Kerry (of Dedicated Fitness) runs a group where she teaches form and safety tips, so she encouraged us to do this race," Behler said."And I like what they do with the money for the scholarship.""It's a great course and a great community cause," Fabian said.The top overall female winner for the 2017 race was Nicole Carroll of Jim Thorpe, while Andrew Schmid from the Lafayette College team "Ryan's Angels" took home the title for the male division.Next year's race date has been set for March 24, with registration forms available on the website. For more information on the organization visit site

www.raisingthehouse.org.