Supporting students and teachers is something about which the members of the Russellville City Schools Education Foundation are passionate, which is why they are excited about their annual fall fundraising event.

The RCS Education Foundation 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run will take place Oct. 13 on and around the RCS campus. This is the third year the Foundation has hosted this event, and Foundation President Mike Mayfield said they are hoping this will be their best turnout yet.

“This year the event is the same weekend as Homecoming, so we’re hoping a lot of our alumni who are in town will participate in either the 5K or the Fun Run,” Mayfield said. “It would be a great way for these classmates to get to spend some extra time together while also doing something to support their alma mater.”

Board member Elaine Vaughn, who is organizing this year’s event, said some people make the mistake of thinking this fundraiser is only for serious runners, but the Fun Run is a great way for anyone to participate.

“Each of the last two years, we’ve had more and more people enjoy the 1 Mile Fun Run,” she said. “You can run it or you can walk it. Either way, it’s a great way to get out, enjoy a beautiful fall day and help us raise money for our students and our teachers.”

All funds raised during the event will go toward the Foundation’s main goal of awarding scholarships to RHS seniors and grants to teachers for instructional learning in their classrooms.

“We have had so many students and teachers who have been able to benefit from these scholarships and grants,” Mayfield said. “Teachers can use the grants they receive from the Foundation for anything instructional that will improve learning for their students, and high school seniors use their scholarships to further their education.

“We don’t think there are many things more important to invest your time or money in than the future of our young people, and that’s what the Foundation does.”

There will also be an additional way for participants to support the school of their choice with the Torch Run Team Competition. Each participant will have the option of choosing which school to support during the race. The school that has the most supporters will win the team competition and receive a trophy and $1,000 for their school.

For those who are interested in participating, organizers are strongly encouraging online registration at http://5ktorchrun.itsyourrace.com to cut down on race-day registration times. Those who register for the 5K race prior to Oct. 6 will have a $20 race fee and will be guaranteed a Torch Run T-shirt by the day of the race.

Those who register after Oct. 6 will have a $25 registration fee, and T-shirts will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis the morning of the race. If no more shirts are available, 5K participants will receive their shirt at a later date.

RCS students who participate in the 5K will have a $15 registration fee, and all participants of the Fun Run will have a $10 registration fee.

Event-day registration and check-in will begin at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at the RHS Auditorium lobby. The 5K race will begin at 8 a.m.; the 1 Mile Fun Run will begin at 9 a.m.; and the awards ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:15 a.m.

Awards will be given to the top male and female overall finishers; the top male and female masters finishers; and first, second and third place finishers in each age category.

Sponsors for the event are Valley State Bank, CR3ATE ARCITECTS Inc., Bowen Dentistry and Pilgrim’s Pride.