Blue Mountain Health System's 15th annual 5K Run/Walk and Kid's Fun Run is coming up, with a 10K course this year.

"We always have a 5K Run/Walk but in celebration of our 15th anniversary, we added a new 10K course to our event," said Lisa E. Johnson, vice president of Public Relations & Marketing at BMHS.The race will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 7 in the Palmerton Borough Park. The 5000 meter course is officially certified by the USA Track & Field Association."This is really exciting, because we typically get about 500 runners/walkers for our event," Johnson said. "This is sure to draw new runners to our event, since there are very few races that have all three events."Both the 5K and 10K course will take off from Third Street by the park. Runners will turn right at Lafayette Avenue, then a left at East Lane and go up to Columbia Avenue. From there they will turn left onto First Street. The 5K runners will turn left onto Franklin Avenue and go to the finish line at the park. The 10K runners will turn right onto Franklin Avenue and then another right onto Church Street. They will make a left onto Lafayette Avenue and continue as the road name changes to Princeton Avenue. From there, they will turn right onto Linden St, left onto Edgemont Avenue, left onto Tomb Street and right back onto Princeton Avenue following it down to a left onto Mauch Chunk Road. As they run back toward town, they will take the left fork onto Franklin Avenue and finish at the park.Registration opens at 8 a.m. in the park. Those interested in participating in either race can register early online at

www.blmtn.org. Online registration costs $25. The form can also be downloaded, printed and mailed in. The cost for mail-in registration is $30. Registration on the day of the event is $35. The registration cost is the same for either race. The Kid's Fun Run race is $5.Awards will be given to the top overall male and female runner, and to the top three male and female finishers in eight different age group categories, which include: 12 and under, 13-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & up. Each of the top finishers will be awarded with an actual stethoscope.