Bon Secours is gearing up for its annual fun run/walk around the Harbour View campus, to raise money and awareness for colon cancer, America’s leading cause of cancer death.

“The Bon Secours 5K for Colon Cancer and 1-Mile Fun Walk is part of our celebration of Colon Cancer Awareness Month,” Bon Secours spokeswoman Kasey Fuqua said.

“We want to make sure people are aware of ways they can live a colon cancer-free life, as well as the importance of regular colonoscopies.”

The event raises money for the Bon Secours Maryview Foundation Cancer Fund, she added, “so we can help local colon cancer patients in many different ways.”

The event will be held on March 28. The 5K begins at 8 a.m., and the 1-mile fun walk at 9 a.m.

It all starts at the Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View, 5815 Harbour View Blvd., and winds through some local streets before finishing back at the campus.

Fuqua said organizers are hoping for more than 500 runners and walkers.

“Right now we have more registrations than we had last year at this time,” she said. “Last I heard, we have over 300 registered.”

For $30, folks can register for the event at www.bshr.com/5k through March 26. Onsite registration on the morning of the event, until 7:30 a.m., will cost $35.

Event organizers have added a team option this year. Teams must be of three or more people, and awards will be given to the fastest teams.

Also, members of a team receive $5 off the cost of registration.

Several teams have signed up so far, Fuqua said, including many fielded by event sponsors.

Sponsors include TowneBank, Gastrointestinal & Liver Specialists of Tidewater, Gastroenterology Association of Tidewater, Goodive Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, Virginia Oncology Associates, First Team, the city of Suffolk, Taylor Orthodontics, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and the Suffolk News-Herald.

Also new this year, Fuqua said, will be an “educational expo,” teaching not only about colon cancer and ways of avoiding it but also about maintaining good heath in general.

One can be ultra-competitive or just in it for the fun, Fuqua said of the event.

“We have a range of runners, from the very competitive to families who are just out to support a family member or friend who has colon cancer,” she said.