Runners and walkers, athletes and families, take your mark for the pinkest, long- legged race of the year! The Darleen’s Flamingo 5K will hold its 5th annual “Make Your Own Party” road race on Saturday, Nov. 1 to bring the community together and raise money to benefit cancer patients in our area.

New this year is a Glow Run/Walk. The run/walk will begin and end at Hubs Rec Road “T” intersection by the waterfront in the Smithton community of Belhaven at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is $15 for children 10 years or younger and $20 for adults. Registration on race day is $25 for all ages. Registration includes a t-shirt for all participants. Extra shirts will be on sale on race day and registration begins at 3 and ends at 4:45 p.m.

The money, a combination of registration fees, sponsorships and personal donations, will benefit the Shepard Cancer Foundation.

“Every dollar makes a difference,” says Ainsley Rusevlyan, Shepard Cancer Foundation president. “We really appreciate the trust our patients and families put in the Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center and the community support makes a tremendous difference in our programs offered to any current patient, survivor or caregiver — no matter where they are receiving care.”

Darleen’s Flamingo 5K is organized in honor of Darleen Smith, who fought a hard battle against breast cancer and lived by her favorite slogan, “Make Your Own Party.” The event will take place in her beloved waterfront community of Smithton and pink flamingos will adorn the yards, roads and water views along the race route.

“We are looking forward to bringing the community together to support local cancer patients, survivors and caregivers as families and competitive runners enjoy running and walking as the sunsets along the waterfront and the GLOW fun begins,” says Nick Klapp a lead organizer and son-in-law to Darleen.

Awards will be given to the top-three males and females overall, the top-three males and females for each age group and also to the oldest male and female finisher.

For more information, to register or to become a sponsor, please call Nikki Klapp at 252-945-6542 or email 5k@winkcpu.com. You can also register online at www.flamingo5k.org.