Chester County Connect Care (CCCC), a nonprofit medical care pregnancy center, will present its annual 5K Run/Walk For Life on Saturday, Nov. 11, rain or shine, at Hibernia County Park in Coatesville. New elements of this year's event will be a Family Fun Run, a different 5K course and a Pup Station for dogs.

Race-day registration will open at 7:45 a.m., and the 5K will begin at 9 a.m., followed by an awards presentation. "There will be first-, second- and third-place medals awarded to the top three male and female finishers for each age group and an overall male and female winner of the 5K," explained Stacey McNutt, CCCC events coordinator. "At approximately 10 a.m. after the awards ceremony will be the Family Fun Run that is open to people of all ages. Everyone will get a goodie bag. Children age 12 and under will get a medal for finishing."

She noted that youngsters in strollers along with dogs on leashes are welcome to be a part of the fun run, which will be a little less than 1 mile. "We will have a Pup Station, and everyone who brings their dog will get a bandana (for their pet). We will have treats for the dogs and water," said McNutt.

Refreshments will be provided for all participants, and there will be a hot chocolate station. Children's games will be available free of charge.

In addition to the newly added Family Fun Run, 5K participants will follow a new course. "The course was cross-country and in the grass, which was a bit of a deterrent for some 5Kers," said McNutt. "This year, it will be on pavement and gravel in the park. (Runners) will start at Pavilion 4, run through the campgrounds and come back and end where they started."

The event will include an opening ceremony. Myriam Ruager, CCCC executive director, will talk about CCCC's mission and where the funds are going. "Myriam will push an empty stroller to honor the unborn and the babies that have been lost," said McNutt. "It makes a statement."

Last year, there were more than 230 participants, but McNutt said that this year's goal is to attract 400 runners and walkers.

Church groups and others are being invited to take part in a FUN-Raiser by registering for the event as a team. "The person with the most donations for their team will be recognized and given a prize," said McNutt.

The fundraiser is designed to support the agency's ongoing mission to provide medical, educational and material support to women and families facing unplanned pregnancies. All services are 100% free. Families are supported physically, emotionally and financially through basic pregnancy care, parenting education, peer counseling, a homeless prevention program and community referrals.

Hibernia County Park is located at 1 Park Road, Coatesville. For more information about the event and to register, visit http://www.runsignup.com, choose "Find a Race" and search for "Chester County Connect Care 5K Walk/Run for Life." Same-day registrations will also be accepted.

More information about CCCC is available by visiting http://www.ccconnectcare.org or http://www.facebook.com/ccconnectcare or by calling 610-383-0930.