ORANGE : Racing to Benefit Children’s Home

Runners take your marks: The fifth annual “Round Orange 10 Kilometer Race” to benefit the Orangewood Children’s Home kicks off Sunday at 7:30 a.m.

Sponsored by Toyota of Orange and the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, the race is part of a monthlong campaign to benefit abused and neglected children in Orange County. The city of Orange and Orange Chamber of Commerce co-sponsor the event.

Runners, race walkers and wheelchair racers are encouraged to participate in the 10K, 5K or children’s one-mile events. Last year about 3,600 entrants ran in “‘Round Orange,” raising $30,000 for Orangewood. Organizers expect to raise $35,000 this year.

“It’s the biggest run in Orange County,” said David Wilson, owner of Toyota of Orange.

Three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Janet Evans of Placentia will start the 5K and 10K races.

Male and female winners in the 10K run will receive round-trip air fare to Germany; the 5K winners receive tickets to Acapulco, and a “certificate of completion” goes to every child participating in the Kids Fun Run.

All entrants receive free commemorative T-shirts and a post-race pancake breakfast of pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. Non-participants pay $2.

Win or lose, all runners are eligible to enter a grand prize drawing for a 1990 Toyota Tercel, donated by Toyota of Orange.

The 5K race starts at 7:30 a.m. in front of Toyota of Orange, 1400 N. Tustin Ave., followed by the 10K race at 8:30. The Kids Fun Run starts at 9:30 on the track at Peralta Junior High School.

Race information packets and late registration are available today at Ski and Sports, 1802 E. Katella Ave., and at Peralta Junior High School beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday.

Late registration fees are $18 for the longer races and $8 for the Kids Fun Run.