The Snoqualmie Valley will play host to its first half marathon in more than two decades on Saturday, May 1, when nearly 1,000 runners from across the region will descend on downtown Snoqualmie for the inaugural Cinco de Mayo Mini Marathon and eight-kilometer run.

The event will start on Schusman Avenue behind Mount Si High School and finish at the school’s track stadium.

“The half marathon is the perfect test for those not quite ready to tackle a full marathon but who are looking to upgrade from the shorter 5k and 10k races,” said Sean Sundwall, race director and founder of Run Snoqualmie. “This course was designed to offer runners a beautiful tour of our great Valley but without all the hills and other distractions associated with the bigger, urban events.”

Runners of both the 8k and half marathon will run through downtown Snoqualmie and cross the Snoqualmie River bridge before turning into the beautiful Mill Pond area. At the intersection of Meadowbrook and Mill Pond, 8k runners will turn toward the high school to the finish line while half marathoners will take Reinig Road out to the base of Mount Si before turning and heading back to Mount Si High School.

Day-of-race registration opens at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning inside the Mount Si High School gymnasium. The $70 half-marathon entry fee includes a T-shirt and a running hat for all finishers. The entry fee for the fun run is $30 and includes a finisher’s hat. Runners who want a shirt can pay an extra $5, as long as supplies last.

Mariachi bands will be playing at the starting and finishing lines and at two different locations along the course.

Hundreds of dollars in cash and prizes await the overall and age group winners of both events. There are also prizes for those judged to be wearing the best Cinco de Mayo-themed costume.

The event benefits the Histiocytosis Association of America, an organization founded to help find a cure for the rare cancer-like disease through private research and support families who are dealing with effects of this juvenile sickness.

The inspiration behind this year’s race beneficiary came from the event’s presenting sponsor, Ana’s Mexican Restaurant. Anna Sotelo, owner of Ana’s, has a niece who was diagnosed with Histiocytosis several years ago.

For more information about the Cinco de Mayo Mini Marathon or any of the other local races hosted by Run Snoqualmie, visit www.runsnoqualmie.com.