DAPHNE, Ala. — The 10th annual Animal Rescue 5K Run and 1-mile Fun Run is set for Dec. 18 at Centennial Park in Daphne.

The 5K race extends about a mile and a half toward Montrose and comes right back down Main Street, race director James Pennington said; the 1-mile run extends from City Hall to the Potters Mill subdivision and ends at Centennial Park.

“The 5K is a full-blown road race,” said Pennington, who has organized the event since its inception a decade ago. “It’s a competitive race, but you can certainly run your dog in the 5K or the 1-mile, and we have people who can do both.”

Throughout the races there will be stations with plenty of water, food and fun for pets and owners.

All pet breeds are invited to participate, and proceeds will go toward rescuing animals in the Baldwin County and Mobile County areas and providing them with medical care.

“We usually have about 300 entrants, and there will be 75 to 80 dogs there,” Pennington said. “I’m involved in a lot of things, but this is certainly a very important cause.”

The 5K run begins at 8 a.m. Pre-registration costs $20, and race-day registration costs $25. The 1-mile Pet Trot will start at approximately 9 a.m. Pre-registration costs $15 and race-day registration costs $20. Pre-registration is available through tomorrow. Pennington said the Baldwin County Humane Society, the Fairhope Cat Coalition and the Azalea City Cat Coalition will receive proceeds raised from the event.

“You can sign up at the race, but we certainly encourage people to sign up in advance,” Pennington said.

Entry fees include race entry, a race T-shirt and entry to the post-race party at Centennial Park, where individual awards and team awards will be announced.

“We’ll have free food, music and the rescue groups will have information about what we do,” Pennington said. “It’s basically a chance for people in rescue to get together and share ideas.”

Humane Society Executive Director Sonja Presley said this is the first year the society will receive proceeds from the event.

“That’s what makes it so phenomenal,” Presley said, noting that the organization will use its proceeds for medical care. “It’s (Pennington’s) choice and he chose us to be a beneficiary. You have to be in awe of James Pennington, being the race director for 10 years.”