It's not about destruction, finality or even devastation. Nothing like that.

In fact, the Apoca-Lititz 5K represents just the opposite. It's an event that promotes maintaining, nurturing and moving forward.

So, what's in a name?

"It's another way to enjoy our amazing community," said Emily Allen, executive director of Venture Lititz, which sponsors Apoca-Lititz 5K. "It's supposed to be fun, celebratory and exciting. It's a great chance for people to meet each other, get a little exercise and dress in costume. It's a costume fun run."

The Apoca-Lititz 5K is an event that's as competitive as dressed-up participants care to make it, as they can choose to run or walk. The 5K is conducted to raise funds for Venture Lititz, the downtown business district's advocate, supporter and partner. This year's version of the annual event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 9 a.m., beginning and ending at Stoll & Wolfe Distillery, 35 N. Cedar St., Lititz.

Participants can preregister for the race at http://www.lititzpa.com/event/apoca-lititz-5k or with cash prior to the event on that Saturday. Same-day registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the race, and at 10:30 a.m., prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers and the best costumes in the categories of adult males and females, boys and girls and groups.

Refreshments and coffee will be available.

"It's a family event," said Allen. "It's for people who want to come out and enjoy our community in a different way. Some people just like to dress up. People just have fun in their costumes."

"I like seeing everybody come together and being in costumes," Allen continued. "I like the community aspect of it. It's just a great way to bring the community together more."

From 35 N. Cedar St., the Apoca-Lititz 5K's out-and-back course will traverse Front Street and portions of the Lititz-to-Ephrata Rails-to-Trails and take runners past John R. Bonfield Elementary School.

"There aren't a lot of hills," said Allen.

More than 200 runners are expected to participate in the Apoca-Lititz 5K. All proceeds raised by the event will go toward Venture Lititz projects like production maps of the downtown and a business district guide, as well as various beautification projects.

"It goes toward the central work of Venture Lititz, which is to bring more people to the downtown business community," said Allen. "We love Lititz. We are dedicated to preserving Lititz. We're constantly asking, 'How do we make Lititz better? What new businesses can we attract to town?'"

It takes more than 50 mostly volunteers to pull off the Apoca-Lititz 5K, which is one of five events that Venture Lititz sponsors each year. The local nonprofit, which was founded in 2006, also conducts a New Year's Eve gala in December, its Fire & Ice winter festival in February, Taste of Lititz in June and a farmers market from April to October.

"All of our events are totally different," said Allen. "We try not to do the same events over and over. We want to promote healthy living. We want to encourage people to enjoy the town and the amazing community we have."