ARUNDEL — It’s all about community.

That will be the focus of the 5K trail run/walk event slated to take place in Arundel on Saturday ”“ the first of its kind, according to Recreation Director Jen Dumas. And while the event will serve as a fundraiser for her department, the real benefit will be kick-starting a town-wide event with the potential to become an annual race.

With the inaugural 5K taking place on the Eastern Trail, Dumas also hopes it will highlight an important community asset.

“It’s not as much about the fundraising so much as providing an event for runners to participate in. The trail is just such a beautiful resource for us. It’s just a nice place to be.”

With a number of runners and walkers already pre-registered, the town hopes it becomes a large draw, especially with last-minute registrations being accepted the day of the race, starting two hours prior to the start time. A 1K fun run/walk for children will start at 9 a.m., with the 5K portion starting at 10 a.m.

The tricky part, said Dumas, was figuring out logistics for parking. Because there are only a handful of parking spots for the Eastern Trail available in town ”“ five total ”“ parking for the race will be at the nearby Mildred L. Day School. A shuttle will bring participants to the site of the run, with the last shuttle departing 15 minutes before the start of both the children’s and adult’s events. No parking will be allowed at the Eastern Trail on the day of the run, said Dumas, because the shuttle needs those spaces as

a turn-around.

Tad Redway, president of the Eastern Trail Management District, as well as Arundel’s town planner, noted that while other Eastern Trail events have passed through Arundel, none have been specifically hosted by the town.

“It’s the first organized event of this nature,” said Redway. “It’s always great to have an event like this, because it raises awareness of the Eastern Trail.

“It’s nice to have an Arundel event, for sure,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to it.”

Participants who register Saturday morning can expect to pay $25; $15 will get a young one into the children’s event. Afterward, Bentley’s Saloon will host a family-friendly awards ceremony at noon.

“Bentley’s is a great community supporter, and we’ve worked with them before,” said Dumas. “They’re a natural choice for something like this.”

As for the future?

“Hopefully it becomes an annual event,” she said.

— Staff Writer Jeff Lagasse can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 319 or jlagasse@journaltribune.com.