Bob Blazier Run for the Arts to take place Sunday

Characters from movies, TV, books and music will be running through Crystal Lake on Sunday morning, May 2, as part of the 24th Annual Bob Blazier Run for the Arts.

The event – held in honor of Bob Blazier’s “unparalleled community accomplishments” – raises money for the Raue Center for the Arts in downtown Crystal Lake, which serves as the starting point for participants, according to a news release.

“With the pandemic closing our doors to crowds larger than 50 people for most of the past 12 months, Raue Center has been eagerly looking forward to any way we can engage with our community,” the Raue’s economic development manager, James Knight, said in the release. “Luckily, we’ve got two fantastic and very different events coming up quickly on the horizon. The Blazier Run is a terrific way to support Raue Center and enjoy a healthy, family-friendly outdoor event while the 6x6 Project gives you a chance to flex your creative muscles and come together as a community to celebrate the arts.”

This year, Blazier Run participants are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite characters from movies, TV, books or music, according to the release.

The race starts at 8 a.m. outside the Raue Center, according to the release. The course will take runners through the neighborhoods surrounding the downtown area and will wind back to finish where they started.

In addition to a full 5K, the event includes the Rosie’s 1-Mile Walk as an option. Runners also can participate as a group by signing up for the Team Challenge.

Registration costs $35 for the 5K and $25 for the 1-mile walk. Packet pickup will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Raue Center for the Arts. Day-of packet pickup will begin at 7 a.m. Sunday.

For information, go to rauecenter.org.