Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines is set to host the 14th annual Ryerss Run for the Horses event at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.

The event will feature a 10K and 5K cross-country run, as well as a 1-mile walk. It will take place at Ryerss Farm, 1710 Ridge Road (Route 23), Pottstown. There is a cost to register.

"I think it's going to be a good year," said Frank Reilly, treasurer of Ryerss Farm. "This is the most pre-entries we've ever had."

Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines, founded in 1888, is a nonprofit located on 383 acres of land near the Chester/Montgomery County border. The farm provides a place for aged horses to retire and enjoy their days in the pasture; Ryerss' horses are never worked or ridden again.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Ryerss Farm and will go toward new renovation projects. Reilly said that the organization's main goal is to raise enough money to rehab the main barn, which is over three decades old.

Runners and walkers of any pace are invited to take part in the runs or walk. Reilly said that the walk will be an all-grass, 1-mile loop in front of the barn and that the 5K and 10K courses will go throughout the entire farm.

"It'll be more of a challenge," he said. "The 5K loop will be three miles into the woods and through some pastures, past the horses and then back to the finish line. The 10K will just do the loop again."

Last year's male winners were Abhijit Choudhury (10K, 59:06) and Michael Serocki (5K, 24:42); the female winners were Sasha Kryst (10K, 1:02:15) and Angelique Ott (5K, 25:48).

Last year's event drew 75 runners. Reilly said that the farm is expecting north of 100 participants this year. All attendees are welcome, even if they do not wish to partake in the run/walk.

The 5K and 10K races will be electronically timed. Registration can be done online at http://www.runtheday.com/register/535495/ or on the day of the race at the farm. There is no lower age limit for registration, nor is there a limit on how many runners can participate.

Runners and walkers at last year's event dealt with cold and rainy conditions. Reilly is hoping for better weather this time around.

"Last year was one of the first years where we had some unusual weather," he said. "It did knock us down in the number of walk-up entries ... it does cut down the spontaneous runner."

On the day of the event, people will be able to visit the horses that reside at the farm, many of which gather along the fence to watch the runners pass by. The site's gift shop will also be open, offering equine-related paraphernalia such as plush miniature horses and Ryerss Farm T-shirts, hats and hoodies.

For more information, visit http://www.ryerssfarm.org or http://www.facebook.com/ryerss.farm. Those with questions may call 610-469-0533 or email info@ryerssfarm.org.