Head Over Teal 5K/10K

The eighth annual Head Over Teal 5K and 10K races and family fall festival are coming back to The Preserve subdivision on Sept. 23.

But this year, there won’t be a 1-mile fun run due to limited interest in past years, said Mary Anne King, executive director of the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, the charity that organizes the event.

Organizers last year saw a spike in attendance, with about 740 runners and walkers taking part in the races, King said. The amount of money raised increased about 30 percent to $65,000, she said.

Because of the huge jump last year, organizers set a goal of $66,000 this year, King said.

The Laura Crandall Brown Foundation uses the proceeds to increase awareness of gynecologic cancers, fund research for early detection and provide support for women battling these forms of the disease.

In addition to the races, there is a fall festival with games, children’s inflatables, face painting, pumpkin decorating, crafts and more.

The event has always included a 5K (3.1-mile) race, but last year was the first year that a 10K (6.2-mile) race was offered. Organizers have made slight adjustments to the 10K course to lessen confusion for runners, King said.

The early registration cost is $35 for the 5K and $40 for the 10K, but runners who register as a team of at least five members can pay $30 per person for the 5K and $35 per person for the 10K. The price increases $5 on Sept. 11. Children ages 13 and younger pay just $20.

Teams must register by Sept. 20, and anyone who registers after Sept. 13 is not guaranteed a race T-shirt.

There is limited parking in The Preserve Town Center, so organizers encourage people to park at Prince of Peace Catholic Church and take shuttles that will run every 10-15 minutes. Both races start at 8 a.m.

Registration is online at thinkoflaura.org.