Spalding Regional Medical Center will host its first 5K Scrub Run and Walk on Sept. 15 at 9 a.m.

The event will start and end at the hospital, and participants can choose between a 5K race or a one-mile walk, though walkers are welcome to join the 5K race as well. The pre-registration fee for the race is $20, and for the walk it is $15. All those who pre-register by Sept. 10 are guaranteed to receive a T-shirt.

People can also register for the Scrub Run between 7:45 and 8:45 a.m. on the day of the event, in which case the fee goes up by $5 for both the race and the walk.

Spalding Regional also offers a free Tot Trot for children 6 years old and younger. At the end of the Scrub Run, the first three participants for each age category in both the race and the walk will receive medals.

All proceeds of the Scrub Run will benefit the local Backpack for Kids program — a joint project by the Spalding Collaborative, the University of Georgia-Griffin Campus and the local school system. The volunteer program distributes nonperishable food items to students in need to take home with them for the weekend.

“I would like to make $2,000 to $3,000 to give to the charity,” said Spalding Regional Community Educator and Facility Wellness Coordinator Kim Stephens, who represents the hospital with Spalding Collaborative and organizes the Scrub Run.

Stephens said that for every $250, one child can be fed over the weekend for an entire school year.

“I think it’s just a great cause that we look out for our kids right in our back yard,” she said, adding that the Scrub Run encourages health and fitness while helping children with their nutritional needs.

To register for the Scrub Run, visit www.getsetgrow.com.