Proceeds from the Sperryville Fall 5K will benefit Rappahannock youths in memory of Lucy Grace, a Sperryville infant who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 2007.

Proceeds from the run will benefit the Rappahannock County School Sports Association, the SIDS Foundation and the Rappahannock County Park and Recreation Program.

Melissa Harris, a Sperryville resident and member of RCSSA, is organizing the event.

"I'm a runner and I wanted to have a run in town, and do something that would be good and be fun," said Harris, who has children involved with athletics in Rappahannock public schools.

She added that a 5K run will complement the Fodderstack 10K, which is run each April. Hopefully, she said, the Sperryville run will enjoy the same longevity as the Fodderstack, which has been run each April for 30 years.

"I think our community can handle both a 5K and a 10K," Harris said. "I've talked with the parks and rec committee and they have been very supportive."

Now she is working to raise funds for the event.

"The community response has been beautiful," Harris said. "All of the businesses I've asked so far have been great."

Dave Gillis, a teacher and cross-country coach at Rappahannock County High School, is helping Harris plan the run.

Students in Joyce Sours' art class at RCHS will compete to design the name and logo for the run. The logo will appear on T-shirts for the event.

The race will begin and end at The Link (formerly known as The Schoolhouse) in Sperryville. The route will take runners east on U.S. 211 to Water Street, through Main Street to Woodward Road toward Estes Mill Road and back through the village to The Link.

Anyone interested in donating to the Sperryville 5K run should call Melissa Harris at 987-9871. The run will also need volunteers to help hand out water and perform other duties on the day of the event.