Families can race in their favorite Halloween costumes during this year’s Picayune Piney Woods Monster Dash 5K and one-mile fun run sponsored by the Senior Center of South Pearl River County. In preparation for the Halloween-themed race, the center is actively seeking sponsors to support the spooky tradition, which has been haunting Pearl River County for the past seven years.

Kathleen Penton, the center’s participant’s coordinator, along with the center’s Executive Director Darlene Adams, encourages local businesses, civic groups and individuals to sponsor the race for a good cause. All proceeds go to support the senior center, Penton said.

The race will be held on Oct. 31 starting at the senior center. Those interested in sponsoring the event can choose from four different sponsorship levels, with costs ranging from $50 to $500. Any sponsorship that includes advertisement on the race’s T-shirts must be paid by Oct. 9, according to a press release from the senior center.

Those interested in sponsoring the event should notify the center as soon as possible.

About 70 runners participated last year and Penton hopes more decide to get into the Halloween spirit this year.

“We’re hoping for all the runners we can get,” Penton said.

Registration for the 5K and one-mile fun run begins at 7 a.m. at the senior center. The one-mile fun run kicks off at 8 a.m. while the 5K Run/Walk begins at 8:30 a.m.

Pre-registration for adults is $20 or $25 on race day. Registration for children 12 and under is $5 for the one-mile fun run and doesn’t include a race T-shirt.

Along with the race, the center plans to hold an adult and children’s costume contest. Music and entertainment will also be provided.

The deadline to pre-register for the race is Oct. 16.

For more information, call the senior center at 601-798-9892. The center is located at 45 El Patch Parkway.