It’s time to get those running or walking shoes ready for the annual 5k run/walk hosted by St. Alexander School in Villa Park.

This year’s race is set for Monday, May 26, the first year this fundraiser will be on Memorial Day. Registration starts at 8:15 a.m., and the race begins at 9 a.m. Runners can pick up their race packets on the day of the race or on Sunday, May 25, at Dick Pond Athletics, 124 N. York St., Elmhurst. All runners will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Participants can register any time until the day of the race. The fee is $15 per person. A special family discount rate is $45, regardless of the number of family members from the same house that register. Admission for a children’s 1k event is $5.

The race has been held for the past several years as a school fundraiser.

“This is for all ages and skill levels. Walkers, highly trained runners and kids are all welcome,” said race organizer Tom King. “We are hoping to attract more runners from surrounding communities. We are offering a 1k kids run this year for the younger kids. This is a great event for the entire family and will take place rain or shine.”

The race will be professionally timed by Race Time, and results will be posted immediately after the race and also will be available online. There will be cash prizes for overall winners and the top male and female runners in each age group.

The race course is 3.1 miles long and begins on the Prairie Path at Cornell Avenue. It then continues east to Monterey Avenue, west to Oakland Avenue, south to Madison Street, east to Monterey Avenue, north back to the Prairie Path and then back down the Prairie Path to Cornell Avenue. At the finish line, runners and walkers will enjoy refreshments and have a chance to win prizes donated by several local businesses.

“We had 230 runners last year and hope for 300 this year,” King said. “We have school families and families from surrounding communities, and individual serious runners participate as well. Running strollers and walkers are definitely welcome to come out.”

The Schulte family of Villa Park enjoys the race each year.

“We all look forward to doing this as a family,” Judy Schulte said. “It’s nice to run through the neighborhood and see everyone who comes out to watch.”

She added that the prize drawing is very popular with her kids.

“All my kids won something last year. There are so many prizes donated, it seems like everybody wins,” she said.

Registration forms are available at www.stalexanderschool.org. Call the school at (630) 834-3787 for more information.