"This is a fun way to do something healthy and celebrate moms," said Rotarian Dan Brill, describing the Elizabethtown Rotary Mother's Day 5K. The event will be held on Sunday, May 8, at Masonic Village, 1 Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown. Race-day registration and packet pickup will begin at 1:30 p.m., and the race will start at 3 p.m.

"It's a run/walk event, and we do encourage walkers," Brill said. "It's open for anyone, any age. It's not a super competitive type of atmosphere. It's just a family day, a celebration. It's a fun way to get together and honor moms."

The race will be returning after taking a two-year break because of the pandemic. "This will be our seventh year for the race," Brill stated. Prizes will be awarded to the top overall male and female finishers as well as the top three finishers in various age categories.

This year, the Rotary Club has partnered with Hope Within Ministries in Elizabethtown to raise funds for the organization. "They are a family health center that provides services for uninsured and low-income people," Brill explained. "Our original goal when we started this 5K wasn't to make it a fundraiser, but just to have it be a celebration of moms. This partnership is a nice way to support a local organization."

Along with the race, the event will include music, balloons and snacks. "We'll have flowers for all mothers in attendance, whether they are participating in the race or they are spectators," Brill said. "It's a fun atmosphere."

He noted that the race time was intentionally set to allow families to celebrate Mother's Day before or after the 5K. "You can go out to brunch beforehand or go out for dinner afterward," he remarked, adding that the event will wrap up by about 4:30 p.m. "This race is just a small portion of the day and a way to add another option to celebrate and honor mothers."

For more information on the Elizabethtown Rotary Mother's Day 5K, visit http://www.elizabethtownrotary.org and click on "Fundraising Events." Although race-day registration will be available, preregistration is encouraged. T-shirts will be available for preregistered participants.