On your mark, get set, go — will be the cry at 8 a.m. on April 25 on Main Street as runners will be striding to raise money for Surry County Young Life.

“We raise all of our money locally, so we knew we had to be creative this year,” said Young Life Director Eric Leathers. “Our budget last year was $160,000. Our budget this year has remained the same.”

Leathers said the money raised covers salaries and benefits for the four staff members and for general operating costs.

Young Life in Surry County has been in operation for nine years. Its mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. The organization accomplishes its mission by praying for young people, and going where kids are and building personal relationships with them. Young Life has groups in all high schools in the county except Elkin.

“In our nine years of ministry here in Surry County, we have met thousands of high school students. Each year brings new challenges and new classes of students who are struggling to find out who they are in a more difficult and uncertain climate. It is our hope that, through genuine trust and friendship, our leaders can earn the right to be heard and share the love of God with our high school friends. Our hope is that their encounter with God’s love will lead them to a life-long relationship with Jesus,” Leathers said.

Leathers said Young Life “is like one big party with a purpose where all are welcome and treated like honored guests. It may be club, the best night of a kid’s week, or camp, or the best week of their life, or just the invitation to spend time with a leader who has become their friend. But before the party ends, we share a simple message about God’s love for them. After all, that’s what the celebration is all about.”

5K participants will gather in the parking lot directly across from the Good Life Outfitters for instructions. They will walk towards Trinity Episcopal Church to the starting line. From there, the runners will head south on Main Street, pass the post office and take a left on Cherry Street. They will then take a left on Renfro at Reeves Community Center and head all the way up Renfro to Holy Angels Catholic Church where they will take a left onto Crescent Drive and then make a slight left onto South Park Avenue. The runners will make another slight left onto Marion and then a hard left onto Lebanon. Runners will take a right onto Main and come back toward the Main Street split with Renfro. They will pass the Episcopal church and the finish line is in the crosswalk at the intersection of Main and Oak streets.

Early registration is through Wednesday. The first 150 participants who register early are guaranteed to get a free event T-shirt. The cost before Wednesday is $20. Race day registration is $25 and will be taken at 7:30 a.m. Race is rain or shine, and fees are non-refundable. Those who want to participate can register at Good Life Outfitters at the Main-Oak Emporium, at Reeves Community Center or online at www.pounddowntown.com.

All proceeds go to support Young Life of Surry County, a non-profit outreach ministry for local high school students.

For more information, contact Eric Leathers at ylsurryco@yahoo.com.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.