ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Put on your running shoes and get ready to sprint for the finish line on Saturday, Oct. 2 as the Central Baldwin Education Foundation hosts its first Honeybee 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk at 8 a.m. in Robertsdale.

Coinciding with the Annual Honeybee Festival in downtown Robertsdale at Honeybee Park, the race is open to adults and children of all ages, according to Ashley Kucera, event chairperson.

Registration will be on Friday, Oct. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at the George Pervy Thames Senior Citizens Center located at 22651 E. Chicago St. Preregistration is available online at cbef.org. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for students.

Race forms can be picked up at all Central Baldwin schools and The Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. The first 300 to register will receive a t-shirt and completed registration packets can be mailed to CBEF, P.O. Box 1399, Robertsdale, Al 36567.

With the motto “Running For Our Schools”, Kucera said this is the first time they have done a race and hopes it will be a success. “This will be our largest fundraiser so far and we are very excited about hosting this event. It ‘s something that can be enjoyed by the entire family and it helps us raise money to support our children.”

Awards given for the 5K will be first, second and third Male/ Female medals and then “Overall” trophies for Male/Female Juniors, Masters, Grand Masters and Senior Masters. 1 Mile “Fun Run” participants will receive participation ribbons.

Age groups are: 0-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-16, 17-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-plus and the race course will be on flat paved roads running along the East side of downtown Robertsdale. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the race, Kucera said.

Community support for the race has been very good and Gold Medal Sponsors include Baldwin EMC, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center and Coca-Cola. Silver Medal Sponsors are Robertsdale Dental Care, Vision Bank, National Guard, TSC Tractor Supply Co., Rotary Club International and Piggly Wiggly.

Other community sponsors are: Road ID, Baldwin County Academic and Sports Foundation, Campbell Hardware, Citizens Bank, Armadillo Dash/Rosinton School, Advantage Business Solutions, Aker Solutions, Gruenloh & Associates, P.C., Lee Drug Store, Morgan’s Ice, Terry Thompson Chevrolet, Roberto Pischek, DMD, PC, Willy T’s, Johnson, Slaughter, Elder and Northcutt, P.A., Treadwell Ford, CenturyLink, Regions Bank, Racine’s Feed, Garden and Supply, Inc., Riviera Utilities and Sweat Tire.

The CBEF, a nonprofit organization, was founded in 2008 to “enhance, enrich, and support the educational experience of all public school students in the Central Baldwin area providing financial support and other resources to supplement educational programs and activities,” Kucera said.

Several grants are given away each year to area schools and the proceeds from the race will go toward $500 scholarships for Central Baldwin teachers, who can apply for one grant per year, Kucera said.

“We are very pleased with the positive response we have had from area schoolchildren and athletes of all ages. There are several similar events scheduled in Baldwin County this Fall and our\ Honeybee Run/Walk should be a good opportunity for families to challenge themselves to a healthier lifestyle while having fun together,” Kucera said.