Veterans of the Race the Reserve will find some changes in this year’s event when the sixth annual run winds through the back roads and trails of Central Whidbey Island Saturday, Aug. 13.

The race features three events (a half marathon, 10K and 5K) and is the primary fundraiser for the Parents of the Coupeville High School Class of 2017.

The proceeds from the Race the Reserve help sponsor a safe and sober graduation night celebration for next spring’s seniors.

With construction going on at Mickey Clark Field, the start and finish line will be just outside the Coupeville High School gymnasium. The routes of the runs have been altered as well, now weaving through Fort Casey and Rhododendron Park.

The event will raise about half the needed income for the senior activities, according to race chairwoman Jenny Carroll. Along with registration fees, the Race the Reserve will generate income through donations and sponsorships.

How much raised will determine how many other fundraisers the parents will sponsor during the course of the school year. The parents will continue to sell concessions during Coupeville High School athletic events.

Registration is on pace with last year, which reached nearly 400, an event record.

“The pieces are falling into place,” Carroll said. “All the volunteers are working hard to make sure their tasks are taken care of or offering suggestions for changes when something is not working out. There has been a lot of planning throughout the year, now it’s time for more of the race day logistics.”

The race takes about 60 volunteers to run smoothly, Carroll said. The core group includes Beth Dion, Irene Echenique, Fawn Gustafson, Jennifer Kellner, Lisa Edlin, Christy Marx and Joline and Sean LeVine.

Senior Class President Jae LeVine and Senior Volunteer Coordinator Bree Daigneault are drumming up volunteers among the senior class, according to Carroll.

In addition to the volunteers, the club receives help from those donating food and water and lending tables, canopies, a public address system and music selections.

“Race planning begins about nine months before the event,” Carroll said. “It is a lot of work but is spread out over a long period so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.”

The work is worth it, Carroll said, because a “race is a great healthy competition, whether you are competing against others or just challenging yourself to finish.

“This fundraiser allows us to make a large portion of our expected budget in a single event — although one that takes a lot of planning — and promote outdoor, healthy challenges.”

When the event debuted a half dozen years ago, the goals included making it a part of the fiber of the community and promoting healthy living.

The Race the Reserve is held on the same weekend as the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival, now in its 52nd year, and the slogan for the race is “Come to Run, Stay to Play.”

“The festival brings people out to see arts and crafts that people create; the race puts people into the outdoors and nature that inspire much of the art,” Carroll said.

“The events help each other by bringing in participants of a different demographic. Both events take a lot of community involvement. By putting them on the same weekend, those who come to Coupeville can see how we all work together to promote art, culture and healthy outdoor living and (how we) support of our students and other community members.”

The Race the Reserve is “a great way to celebrate our beautiful area, with national parks, state parks, county parks, breath taking scenery and great community spirit.”

Pre-registration for the Race the Reserve ends Friday, July 22. Register online at racethereserve.com/register/

Participants can also register beginning at 6:30 a.m. the day of the event; a $5 surcharge will apply.

The half marathon begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 10K and 5K will take off at 9 a.m.