Healthy Suffolk is partnering with Suffolk Parks and Recreation and the YMCA to hold its annual Spring 5K Walk/Run at Bennett’s Creek Park next month.

The run is open to anyone, and children under 12 are encouraged to participate in the event, set for May 12.

“The 5K and one-mile walk will be great for all ages,” Healthy Suffolk Program Manager Deborah Nadell said. “We’ve had a 5-year-old run the 5K before.”

“We are encouraging children 12 and under to run, so they can do the race for no charge,” Nadell added.

Adults have the opportunity to pay $20 for the race if they register before April 28, but after the early bird date, the price will bump up to $25.

Included in registration will be a T-shirt, a bib and raffle tickets. All finishers also receive a medal. Both the adult and kid winners will receive trophies.

Registration fees are used to fundraise for Healthy Suffolk so they can fund their programs.

“We are starting a new program called First Bikes that provides bikes, a healthy activity, for kids that can’t afford them,” Nadell said. “We also fundraise for a centralized garden program.”

Healthy Suffolk anticipates a good-sized crowd, because its last race had 210 participants. People occasionally travel to Suffolk to participate in the race.

“It’s a good tune-up race, and it’s also a non-threatening kind of race if it’s your first time,” Nadell. “You can always walk the course, but you can do whatever, so it’s very low pressure.”

While the runners are going around the course, those waiting will get to participate in minute-to-win-it games.

“We are Healthy Suffolk, and we want people to participate in healthy activities,” Nadell said. “We try and encourage a healthy lifestyle.”

Healthy Suffolk encourages people to come in groups to participate.

“Last year, we had a company that wanted to pay for all their employees to run the race,” Nadell said. “Any company can still do that with us if they want them to run at no charge.”

Healthy Suffolk provides water and bananas at the event. They recommend runners and walkers wear whatever is comfortable for them.

“They need to have comfortable running shoes, and most people wear comfortable T-shirts and shorts,” Nadell said. “Some people wear jeans if they are just walking, and we just encourage everyone to be comfortable.”

Those who wish to register can do it online at healthysuffolkva.org/5k, and they can still register the day of at the event. Early packet pickup will take place at Bennett’s Creek Park the day before the event, and those who have registered will be notified of the available times.