Runners and walkers will gather at the Orange Beach Sportsplex this Saturday for one of the area's longest-running community races. The Annual National Shrimp Festival 5K Run & Walk brings together athletes and casual participants for a morning on the scenic Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail. The event supports high school sports programs in two local communities. Organizers expect a strong turnout as the race continues its tradition of combining fitness with festival fun.

The race will take place on Saturday, October 11, at 7:30 a.m. Runners and walkers will follow a paved, well-defined course along the Backcountry Trail before looping back to the Sportsplex.

This year's event marks nearly five decades since the race began. The 5K started during the 7th Annual Shrimp Festival back in 1977. At that time, participants ran a different route that started and finished at Bayou Village.

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As more people wanted to join the race over the years, organizers moved it to the Orange Beach Sportsplex. The new location provides better facilities and can handle a larger group of runners. The change helped the race grow into a major part of the festival weekend.

Money raised from the 5K goes directly to young athletes in the area. The race benefits both Orange Beach and Gulf Shores High School cross country and track programs. These funds help students get better equipment, training, and opportunities to compete.

Registration costs $30 for adult participants. Runners and walkers under 18 can sign up for $15. Service fees apply to all registrations.

People interested in the race can register online at two different websites. Both register.chronotrack.com and myshrimpfest.com/run offer registration options. Organizers encourage early sign-up to secure a spot in this popular community event.