“This is year number five,” says Kosciusko Runner’s Association Director Bill Crane of the Switchback 5K race. “The first year was supposed to be one and done. We started it as a joke because we knew people would hate it. Turns out they love it.”

The race will be staged at the Warsaw Missonary Church campus on Spring Hill Road. It starts sharply at 8 a.m. The route heads toward Pike Lake, but runners have to run into cul-de-sacs, loop around and run back out.

“They’re constantly passing each other,” says Crane. This is what sets the Switchback 5K apart for other races and makes it so fun. Crane says it’s also challenging, even for serious runners.

Pre-registration for the race is $12 until Aug. 5, $17 afterwards. Race day registration is from 7 a.m. to 7:41 a.m. All who preregister will receive a tech performance shirt and a bottle of Core Power protein.

Awards will go to overall male and female runners. Each of the 5-year age groups are awarded first, second, and third honors.

Chris and Roy Pickler (Photo provided)

In addition to the run, former Biggest Loser contestants, Chris and Roy Pickler from Middlebury, will be putting on a two-hour presentation and Q and A session on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The couple, who are also running in the race on Saturday, will be sharing healthy living tips they learned on the show.

“Contestants spend three to five hours in school, five days a week, learning about how to eat,” says Crane. “They’ll be teaching how to shop, what to buy and how to cook. It’s absolutely free to the community.”

The Switchback 5K is one of many events hosted by KRA. Crane started KRA with two missions in mind: help charities raise funding and provide a platform for people to have a healthier lifestyle. Last year KRA events helped charities raise a quarter million dollars.

Visit runkra.com for more information on the Switchback 5K, registration, or to find out about other KRA events.