Bellevue Mayor Don Davidson will kick off the fifth annual Bellevue 10K/5K Run/Walk by recognizing this coming weekend as “Bellevue Run Weekend.” Davidson plans to be at the start of the event at 7:50 a.m. Sunday.

The declaration recognizes that Bellevue nationally is one of the best places to live and launch a business in America, actively supports programs that build community and healthy liefstyles for families, adults, teens and children.

This year’s run starts in Bellevue’s Downtown Park and includes the Overlake Hospital 10K Run, The Y Family 5K Run/Walk, and Seattle Children’s Kids’ Dash.

Prior to the mayor’s declaration, participants and spectators are invited to visit the Starbucks Race Village to get a cup of coffee, and to learn about health and fitness by checking out event sponsor booths and vendor exhibits. Participants also are being encouraged to enter a bib raffle drawing after the race for great prizes.

This year’s event is already exceeding the 1,200 participants that took part last year. The event will raise money to support the works of the Seattle’s Children’s Autism Center, Kindering, Bellevue City Program Scholarship Fund, Bellevue City Family Camp Out and other Eastside local charities.

The run/walk organizer, the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club, has also attracted a record number of sponsors to support this year’s event including sponsors Overlake Hospital, Starbucks, The YMCA, Brooks Running, The Microsoft Store, the City of Bellevue, Lingenbrink, Slalom Consulting, Escape Outdoors and Eagle.

“We are tremendously excited with the news that Mayor Donald Davidson is going to declare the April 16-17 weekend as Bellevue Run Weekend prior to the start of the race,” said Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club President Chuck Kimbrough. “This declaration will recognize the fact that the Bellevue 10K/5K Run/Walk is helping to bring together neighbors and people from all sections of our community to celebrate and practice improved health through running and walking.”