AUBURN — Registration for the Greater L-A Triple Crown 5K Series will begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22.  Online registration and downloadable print forms will be available through the event Web site at www.triplecrown5k.com.

Forms will also be available for pickup at the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA, 62 Turner St.

The series is open to runners and walkers of all ages and each event will be capped at 800 participants. Registration for all three 5Ks is $45 and individual 5K registration is $17. Prices will increase to $55 and $20, respectively, after June 11. Incentive items are available for the first 300 registrants of each event.

The series, entering its third year, consists of three 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) events: The YMCA Fit Fest on Saturday, June 12, at Festival Plaza; Emily’s Run on Sunday, July 25, at Edward Little High School; and the LA Bridge Run on Sunday, Aug. 29, at the Rollodrome.

Each 5K will begin at 9 a.m. and feature chip-timing, prize drawings, food, refreshments, music and awards to the top three finishers in 14 age categories. The top overall Triple Crown male and female finishers will receive $200, second place will receive $100 and $50 will be awarded to third-place finishers.

The Auburn Firefighters Kids’ Fun Run will precede each 5K at 8:15 a.m. The fun run is free to all youngsters and registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.

The Triple Crown surpassed expectations in 2009 with 1,816 total entries, 658 more than 2008. The increase was largely due to the number of first-time participants from various programs including Couch to 5K, ME First and Girls on the Run.

Thirteen-year-old Will Shafer of New Gloucester won the overall men’s division by 41 seconds over Auburn’s Dan Pontbriand. Livermore’s Tina Meserve defended her Triple Crown title by topping the ladies field, finishing 12th overall. Paula Rousseau of Lewiston was the ladies runner-up.

Funds raised will benefit community programs including various YMCA youth offerings; the Fletcher Foundation, which provides two college scholarships to ELHS students along with a donation to the Auburn Public Library; and the Lewiston/Auburn chapter of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, which will present scholarships to local teenagers for a variety of outdoor adventures.

For more information, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.triplecrown5k.com.