The local domestic violence shelter plans its first 5K fundraiser for Sept. 12.

“The money we’re going to be able to raise from the 5K is going to be able to help victims of domestic violence,” said Emily Brewer, who is the chair of the event and on the board of the Genieve Shelter.

The race will begin at 8 a.m. at Constant’s Wharf Park, 100 E. Constance Road. The race start will follow a one-hour registration and warm-up led by C-Fit Studio.

The route will loop through part of Cedar Hill Cemetery, past the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, down Prentis Street, and up West Constance Road before finishing back at the park. An after-party is planned at East Coast Taco Company on West Washington Street.

The race will not be officially timed, but a clock will be set up at the end so runners can check their time individually.

Brewer said the purpose of the event is twofold: fundraising and awareness.

“There is some grant funding the Genieve Shelter is fortunate to get a hold of from time to time, but we have to raise as much money as we can independently because grants come and go,” Brewer said. “For the first year, our goal is to really brand the Genieve Shelter. There are women that still suffer from domestic violence that aren’t even aware that the Genieve Shelter exists. Bringing some attention to the Genieve Shelter and what it provides is going to be a step in the right direction.”

In the last calendar year, Brewer said, the shelter provided 4,734 nights of shelter and assisted 676 victims of domestic violence, both adults and children. It assists residents of Suffolk, Franklin, Smithfield, Isle of Wight, Southampton and Surry.

In addition to physical shelter, the organization also provides court assistance, job search assistance and other help.

The race is open to all levels of running experience, Brewer said — “For the experienced runner all the way down to someone that would just like to walk the route.”

A couple more slots for sponsors also are available.

Executive Director Mary Williams-Davis said the shelter hopes to make this an annual event.

“We have to have a signature event,” she said. “We’re just trying to get the word out there.”

Registration is $25 per runner and is available at www.genieveshelter5K.org.