Lehighton’s stretch of the D&L Trail was filled with tie-dye and peace signs on Saturday morning thanks to a record-breaking Earth Day Hippie 5K Run/Walk.

Coinciding with Earth Day weekend, the walk invited everyone from the flower children of yesteryear to the toddlers of today to the trailhead.

“It’s a record attendance this year, with almost 130 people,” Kathy Henderson, director of economic development for Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, said. “Also, this year is the first year it is an affiliated, approved event with D&L’s ‘Get Your Tail on the Trail.’ ”

A portion of the proceeds from the event go toward the CCEDC scholarship fund, which benefits any students throughout the county’s five districts, as well as Carbon Career & Technical Institute.

This year’s race also marked the first year of participation for a local school club, which brought a sizable crowd of runners.

“Franklin Elementary’s Run Club is with us this year. It’s the first year that they came. They have more than 20 kids running along with their coaches, so we’re really excited about that,” Henderson said.

Tammy Moyer, head coach for the Run Club, said that the group started about four years ago with the intent to get the kids prepared for one 5K event each year.

“We stretch, run and end with a game. It’s something to keep them active and involved,” Moyer said.

“The kids did an amazing job. We’re very proud of them, and they had fun doing it.”

Moyer’s daughter Taylor took part in the race, and said that she was happy with her performance, despite the fact that the 5K tested her limits.

“We run laps around our Franklin Elementary School track, and then we go inside and play a game. It was different today, because it was a little bit longer than the Run Club that we usually have,” she said.

Juliana Ebbert said that the Run Club was very helpful in preparing for the 5K, which was just challenging enough for her.

“I think I did good. I went to every day of the club, so I think I did pretty good. For my age, it was in the middle, it wasn’t too hard, but not too easy,” she said.

Runners and walkers, some with strollers, made the most of the event by enjoying the early spring weather while they trekked the trail.

Rob Muscovitch, first-place runner overall, had more than one reason to celebrate his victory on Saturday.

“I did OK, considering I have a pretty bad right leg pain going on in my quad muscle,” he said. “It was on my 43rd birthday, so I’ll take it. It feels pretty good, I’ll take it at this age, definitely.”

Henderson said that practically every element of the 5K worked out in the favor of the runners, and that everyone had a great time.

“The event today was a huge success. The record attendance, the most beautiful weather you could ever ask for, our volunteers and our sponsors working together as a team, it was just amazing, I couldn’t be happier,” she said.

Of course, Henderson did have one small suggestion to make next year’s event even better.

“Next year, everybody come dressed up as a hippie!” she said. “It’ll be so much fun!”