AUBURN — Nearly 500 runners and walkers have registered for the YMCA Fit Fest 5K, the first round of The Greater L-A Triple Crown 5K Series presented by Maine Orthopaedic Foundation. The event will take place Saturday, June 9 at 9 a.m. at Festival Plaza in Auburn.

Raceday registration will be available from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. Cost is $25 per person for the YMCA Fit Fest and $65 for the Triple Crown. Online registration is closed for the Triple Crown and YMCA Fit Fest. Volunteers are needed and may also register via the website – www.triplecrown5k.com.

The Bridge Run Foundation will be providing free race day registration to all children ages 14-and-under that would like to run any Triple Crown Series 5K. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the registration table and indicate they are a Bridge Run Foundation Runner. T-shirts will be sold separately.

The 3.1 mile USATF certified YMCA Fit Fest course is flat and fast, beginning at the corner of Court and Main Streets in Auburn and ending along the Riverwalk leading into Festival Plaza. Robert Gomez of Westbrook broke the course record in 2010 with a time of 15:13 while Tina Meserve’s 2003 time of 17:11 stands as the women’s mark.

Along with a full field of eager runners and walkers, the YMCA Fit Fest will feature chip timing, prize drawings, food, refreshments, music and awards to the top three finishers in nine age categories. Registrants and volunteers who present their YMCA Fit Fest bib at the Auburn Gritty McDuff’s will receive a free non-alcoholic beverage or a pint of beer for $1 on raceday.

The Auburn Firefighters Local 797 Kids’ Fun Run will precede the 5K at 8:15 a.m. The run is free to all youngsters and registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.

The Triple Crown surpassed registration records in each event last year for a combined 1,933 registrants. The series encourages first-time participants and can provide information on various training programs including Couch-to-5K and ME First. The series continues with Emily’s Run on Sunday, July 22 at Edward Little High School and the L-A Bridge Run on Sunday, August 26 at the Rollodrome in Auburn.

Funds raised will benefit community programs including the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA, The Fletcher Foundation and the Bridge Run Foundation.

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