Lace up your sneakers and head to the historic Odd Fellows Cemetery in Tamaqua on Saturday for the Three Links 5K Run/Walk.

The event, now in its third year, helps raise funds for the nonprofit cemetery on Tamaqua’s west end.

It’s a unique event, organizer Justin Bailey said, one that’s held along the walkways and roads of the 1861 Victorian garden cemetery. Mapped out along the cemetery’s 38 acres, the course offers inclines and declines, which make for a challenging — and scenic — run.

“Odd Fellows cemetery has 16,400 burials,” said Bailey, president of the cemetery board. “Since it’s so big. There’s a lot of roads and sidewalks to use so runners and walkers will get to experience the entire cemetery.”

The inaugural event was held in June 2024 and brought 40 participants.

“We asked for any criticism since it was our first one,” Bailey recalled.

There were no negative comments, he said, only folks asking when the next event would be held.

The course does not travel over any burial sites, but takes people to parts of the cemetery some may not have ever seen, Bailey noted.

“The grass was just cut and we have approximately 1,300 American flags and over 100 Odd Fellows flags decorating the cemetery,” he said. “This is the largest display of Odd Fellows flags in the county.”

The cemetery relies mostly on donations to operate. Grass cutting alone costs close to $30,000 each year.

The run/walk begins at 9 a.m. from the entrance along old Route 209 and ends at the Odd Fellows Lodge. Registration is due by Thursday at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Tamaqua/ThreeLinks5K.

The theme is “Red, White and Blue: in honor of 250 years of America. Participants are encouraged to wear their best patriotic outfits to celebrate.

Prizes will be awarded, and music and refreshments will follow the run. Participants 21 and older will receive two beers, while all will receive unlimited snacks and beverages.