LCEC and the German American Social Club have teamed up to present an Oktoberfest 5k and Kinder-Laufen Tot Trot this Saturday, Oct. 27, at Jim Jeffers Park.

It will be the inaugural event for the partnership, and will help kick off LCEC’s United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties fund-raising campaign.

Called “Running United!”, participates can run or walk for a great cause – and get free tickets to the German American Social Club’s Oktoberfest event and $6 in food coupons.

“The German American Social Club has really helped us promote the event,” said LCEC’s Oktoberfest 5k Chairman Eric S. Hoegler, who is also supervisor of LCEC’s Data Services Group. “It was just an idea we had. We wanted to partner with a larger event, and they have been fantastic.”

The race will be held at Jim Jeffers Park in Cape Coral. The cost is $25 and each 5K participant will receive a performance T-shirt, two admission tickets to Oktoberfest, $6 in food/beverage vouchers, and a stuffed gift bag. The overall male and female runners will each receive an etched commemorative beer mug as a trophy.

Children 12 and under can run in the Kinder-Laufen (Tot Trot). Each child will receive a T-shirt, genuine race medal and goodie bag filled with freebies.

For the kids, there will also be a visit from Ms. Oktoberfest, Chuck-E-Cheese’s Chuck-E, Menchie’s Menchie cone mascot, HoneyBaked Ham’s Ham-Bee, and a fire truck.

“We’re really trying to make this a family fun event. The Tot Trot will be a separate race for 12 and under, 100 yards.”

Hoegler got involved through LCEC’s PowerPac Run Club.

“It is a group we got together for walking and running, part of our LCEC Wellness Program,” he said. “And Ms. Oktoberfest (Brooke Hermiller Callahan) will be at the race to kick it off.”

“This 5k is important to us because it partners our two initiatives – wellness and helping to fund the United Way,” said LCEC Spokesperson Karen Ryan. “We feel really lucky Oktoberfest is partnering with us. It’s been a great experience.”

Registration will be at 6:30 a.m., the 5K Run/Walk at 7:30 a.m. and the Tot Trot immediately following.

Visit uw.lcec.net/5k.html for more information, maps and online registration.