The Run Brave 5K and 1-mile walk, a new event to benefit the Octorara Junior-Senior High School cross-country teams, will take place on Saturday, Aug. 23. Participants will travel the same course that the teams compete on during the school year.

The 5K and the 1-mile walk will begin at 9 a.m., followed at 10 a.m. by a kids' race for youngsters in kindergarten through grade six. A registration fee will be accepted for the 5K and walk, but the children's races are free.

The cross-country program hopes to build on the success of its annual Dire Wolf trail race held in October. "We were looking for another fundraising opportunity and to do something on our own home course," said Rachel McGinnis, Octorara's head cross-country coach. "(The course is) behind the intermediate school and the Primary Learning Center, and it goes around the athletic fields. It is across the street from the high school, completely on the grass."

The 5K run will be professionally timed. "We will have prizes for the first-place finishers and age group prizes," noted McGinnis, adding that the kids' race will be part of the Lancaster County Run for Fitness Race Series Championships.

This series is comprised of regional races throughout Lancaster County. The top five male and female finishers in each grade level are eligible to participate in the championship race to be held on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Overlook Park in Manheim Township.

"The top five in their grade and gender will get a little ribbon and can move onto the championship race in Manheim," McGinnis said. "This is our qualifying race for the kids. Then they will go up against kids from the Lancaster-Lebanon League."

"It's a nice way to get the kids involved in running and maybe potentially interested in cross-country running," she added.

Members of the Octorara boys' and girls' cross-country teams will assist with the running of the upcoming event. "The high school and junior high kids will all be out on the course providing directions and cheering. They will not be racing," noted McGinnis.

She said that the event is ideal for those preparing for the upcoming school year, as well as local 5K enthusiasts. "It is the Saturday before school starts, so a lot of kids and teachers are back from vacation," said McGinnis. "We're also hoping to reach out to the community and the running community."

Like the Dire Wolf trail race, all proceeds will benefit the cross-country teams at both the junior and senior high level. "(Proceeds will be used for) warm-up shirts that are not covered by the school, food for races and any sort of travel (expenses) and anything post-season," McGinnis noted. "Last year, our girls' team made it to states. We used some of the funds we had raised for that. Most of it will go the end-of-season banquet."

Octorara student-athletes are already preparing for the cross-country season. "The preseason starts on Aug. 11; that is the first day of practice," McGinnis pointed out. "Additionally, they have been running on their own all summer. You can't come in the middle of August and expect to get in shape in time for the season. Our first scrimmage is on Aug. 16. We have another one on Aug. 22, which is also before school. The season goes through Nov. 1 if they make it to states."

The Run Brave event will take place across the street from Octorara Junior-Senior High School, 228 Highland Road, Atglen. For more information or to register, visit http://www.runsignup.com and search for "Run Brave 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk." Those who register by Saturday, Aug. 9, will receive a race T-shirt. Walk-in registrations will also be accepted.