The annual Lake Red Balloonfest FUNdraiser 5K/10K Run returns on July 12th at 8 a.m. to support local high school cross country teams. Pella cross country coach Doug Cutler says proceeds from the event support the Knoxville, Pella, and Pella Christian Cross Country teams. 

“The support sort of comes in three folds. There’s first just the support for the kids as we’re preparing for a new season at sort of the halfway point of the summer. The second one is just that community connection of all the sponsors. We have yearly sponsors who donate every single year, we have new sponsors every year, connecting them to us and also the kids to them. And then thirdly is obviously that financial aspect. Just like everything else in life, everything’s getting more expensive, whether it helps us with transportation or equipment, and we bring in a dietitian that speaks to the kids and really kind of emphasizes that.”

Race day walk-ins are welcome. The cost for both the 5K and 10K is $25 per participant. Find registration details here.