Thursday, October 1, 2026
79 ° Clear
79 ° Clear
While much of Lower Bucks County has been hunkering down against the cold, one local club is offering a reason for community members to head outdoors, stay active, and support two meaningful causes. On Saturday, February 28, the Hibernian Rugby Football Club will host its inaugural FrostBite 5K at Falls Township Community Park, offering a relaxed, family-friendly run and walk for participants of all ages and abilities.
The FrostBite 5K will begin at 11 am, with registration opening at 9:30 am at the park, located at 9125 Mill Creek Road in Fallsington, just outside Levittown. The cost to participate is $35, and last-minute registration will be available on the day of the event.
“This is meant to be a fun, casual event,” said Ryan Sodano, vice president of the Hibernian Rugby Football Club. “It’s not about winning prizes or setting personal records. It’s about getting people outdoors, moving their bodies, and enjoying time together as a community.”
The course will wind through Falls Township Community Park, utilizing its well-known trails and scenic landscape. Participants will start and finish near the main pavilion by the soccer and rugby fields, traveling through wooded paths and looping around the lake to complete the 5K distance.
“It’s a really nice route,” Sodano said. “You’re in the woods for part of it, you come back out toward the main entrance, and then loop around the lake on the backside of the park. It’s one of the best ways to experience everything the park has to offer.”
The event is designed to be inclusive and welcoming. Runners looking for a more competitive pace will start first, followed by joggers and walkers. Families with children, seniors, and first-time 5K participants are all encouraged to take part.
“We already have people registered from a wide range of ages,” Sodano said. “There are kids, adults in their 20s and 30s, and even someone in their 70s. That’s exactly what we were hoping for.”
Proceeds from the FrostBite 5K will be split evenly between the Hibernian Rugby Football Club and Blood Cancer United, a cause that holds deep personal significance for the club.
“One of our former players, board members, and someone who was really family to us passed away this past fall from leukemia,” Sodano said. “She was very outdoorsy and was always encouraging people to stay active. This event felt like a fitting way to honor her memory while also supporting an organization that helps others facing similar battles.”
In addition to his role with the rugby club, Sodano is a physical education teacher at Afton Elementary School in Pennsbury School District who sees firsthand how important physical activity is, especially during the winter months. “When it’s cold, people tend to stay inside more, and that can affect both physical and mental health,” he explained. This is a chance to remind people that getting outside, even in winter, can make a big difference.”
Funds raised for the Hibernian Rugby Football Club will help offset the ongoing costs of operating an amateur sports organization. Those expenses include field permits, maintenance, referee fees, and electricity for lighting, as the team practices in the evenings from 7 to 9 pm at Falls Township Community Park.
“Even though we charge player dues, we try to keep them as affordable as possible,” Sodano said. “Fundraisers like this help us keep the club accessible to anyone who wants to play.”
Founded on Jan. 21, 1976, the Hibernian Rugby Football Club has a long and proud history in Lower Bucks County. The club was originally formed by former Blackthorn RFC players and newcomers to the sport and was initially associated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Over time, the rugby club broke off to operate independently while maintaining its Irish identity and community-based mission.
“Hibernian is just the old Irish way of saying Irish,” Sodano explained. “While we’re no longer affiliated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, we’ve always stayed true to our roots and our focus on local rugby.”
The team adopted the crest of the Province of Connacht in Ireland as its logo, reflecting the heritage of many of the club’s founding members. The team’s colors are black and white with royal blue trim.
The Hibernians compete in the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union and regularly face teams from across the region, including Media, Glenside, Philadelphia, Princeton, and State College. The club is an adult men’s team open to players ages 18 and older and is the only Hibernian rugby team in Bucks County.
“We typically have about 25 to 30 active players,” Sodano said. “On the field, there are 15 players at a time, but we can roster up to 23 for matches.”
Practices are held twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there is no cost to attend practices or try the sport. Players who decide to join officially register through the league for insurance purposes.
“No experience is necessary,” Sodano emphasized. “A lot of people come out having never played rugby before. It’s a great way to stay active after high school and build lifelong friendships.”
In addition to competing, the Hibernian Rugby Football Club is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that regularly hosts fundraisers and social events throughout the year, including raffles, tournaments, and community gatherings. The club also hopes to rebuild its youth rugby program, which declined in participation following the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re always looking toward the future,” Sodano said. “This club has been around nearly 50 years, and we want to keep it strong for the next generation.”
Looking ahead, Sodano hopes the FrostBite 5K becomes an annual tradition in Falls Township.
“My hope is that this grows into something people look forward to every winter,” he said. “It’s about getting outside, having fun, supporting great causes, and making good memories together.”
Online registration for the FrostBite 5K is available at www.HiboRugby.com, and community members are encouraged to come out and take part — whether running, walking, or simply cheering others on.
