FAIRHOPE, Ala. — The first 15K certified running race in Alabama will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, starting at 8 a.m. at the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairhope.

The race is being put on by 12 Baldwin County Lutheran churches as a fund-raiser for Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a local family.

“We are going to take over the streets of Fairhope,” race coordinator Jack Stieber said.

Stieber, an area runner, said if local runners want to compete in a 15K race they would have to go out of state to compete and have their times recorded.

“It will be on the Eastern Shore, so this is a first for Baldwin County, first for Alabama and first for Fairhope to take on this race,” he said.

More than 250 runners are expected to participate in the 15K race, Stieber said. He also expects between 500 to 600 people to participate in the fun run/walk immediately following the 15K.

Registration forms from runners in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida and Georgia and as far away as San Diego have been received.

The race is being promoted as the “best new race in Alabama,” because of having water stations every one-half to every three-fourths of a mile, a beautiful route along Mobile Bay and residential Fairhope, and the streets lined with spectators shouting encouragement, Stieber said.

“We’ve got such support that it will be quite an event,” Stieber said.

Volunteers from each of the 12 churches will man water stations where music will be played, he said.

A $19 fee is required for both the 15K and the fun run/walk.

Registered runners will receive a T-shirt designed by Patti Miller from Redeemer Lutheran Church.

The T-shirt shows Martin Luther nailing a building permit on a door with the title of “Lutheran Builders for Reconstruction.”

Miller has been recently contacted by Concordia Publishing to create other religious artwork for Lutheran churches.

A pasta dinner will be available for $5 a person on Friday, Oct. 26, at 5:30 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church for the runners.

There will also be a silent auction the day of the race and an awards ceremony.

Ned Owens, thrievent building specialist for the Lutheran church, said all 12 churches were eager to volunteer to help with the race.

Brenda Lowther, volunteer services coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, said that the Habitat house is going to be built for a family in Foley and will take approximately six weeks to build.

Lowther said she is excited about the race which is being advertised nationally by racing associations.

She credits Stieber for the idea of a having a running race to raise funds for a build.

“Mr. Stieber just jumped right in and ran with it,” she said.