The "oldest continuing race in Montgomery County" returns to the City of Rockville for its 27th year on Sunday, October 13, at 8:00 am.

Sponsored by the City's Department of Recreation and Parks, the 10K/5K race features prizes, awards, food, and a traffic-free course. Race management will again be provided by the Montgomery County Road Runners Club.

Top men and women finishers in the open divisions of the 10- kilometer and 5-kilometer runs, the masters division (40 and over, and the wheelchair division will be eligible for awards and prizes. In addition, entrants will be eligible for a random grand prize drawing held after the race. That prize will be $1,000 toward a three-night cruise for two. The prize includes roundtrip airfare and transfers.

All entrants will receive a long-sleeve t-shirt and access to the post-race brunch. The Sergeant's Program will lead pre-race stretching exercises.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Rockville Youth Recreation Fund. Fees are $21 by October 4, $23 by October 12, and $25 on the day of the race. Participants can log on to the Montgomery County Road Runners Club Web site to register online by noon on October 9.

This year's course will start and finish at King Farm Village Center. Parking will be available at Two Irvington Center at 702 King Farm Boulevard. Roads close at 7:30 a.m. on race day, so organizers urge participants to arrive early.

The runners can take aim at several race records that have stood for a considerable length of time. All 10K course records have stood since at least 1993. The men's course record has not been broken since 1985.

The men's 10K open division record of 30 minutes, 16 seconds was set in 1985 by Kevin McGarry. The women's 10K open record of 37:13 was set in 1991 by Louise Kelly. Ric Banning holds the men's masters record (32:19 in 1993) and Mary Preisel holds the women's mark (39:34 in 1987). The men's wheelchair record is held by Ken Carnes (25:10 in 1990) and the women's record holder is Brenda Smith (38:23 in 1990).

Sponsors of this year's race include the King Farm Village Center, King Farm Village Center Restaurants (Baja Fresh, Eastern Cafe, Fontina Grille, Kardo Mediterranean, Kuzine Restaurant, Maggie Moo's and Quizno's), Craftstar Homes, Inc., EU Services, Equitable Bank, Family HealthCare, Hard Times Cafe, Long & Foster Realty, Mitchell & Best Homebuilders, RNJ Sports Discounters, Safeway, and the Sergeant's Program.

Call (301) 460-8888 for more information.