AUBURN — Got sneakers? Want to make a thousand bucks?

In September, Central Maine Conditioning Center and other businesses are sponsoring an event that will see runners, walkers and two-wheeled athletes circumnavigating Lake Auburn.

The biggest challenge of the event will be a half marathon: A $1,000 bonus is being offered to any male who manages to beat an 1 hour and 6 minutes or the female who can beat 1 hour 16 minutes.

Easy money, right?

The Lake Auburn Half Marathon on Sept. 9 will also feature a bike tour, 5K, 5K relay, 5K corporate relay and 4K walk. For the first time anyone can remember, a lane of traffic will be closed down along the marathon route, a portion of which will traverse Route 4.

Money raised for the event will be used to help area school athletic departments as well as the homeless.

“We see people every day riding or running around beautiful Lake Auburn; it is the most scenic run/ride we have in this area,” gushes a two-page handout announcing the event. “There are the eagles and hawks sitting in the trees. The loons and so many varieties of geese and ducks swimming. The great blue herons and all the smaller wading birds in the coves. The turkeys running all around and you’ll even catch a glimpse of deer or fox running past. It is a wonderful wilderness on the edge of our Twin Cities.”

Just don’t spend too much time admiring the scenery. If you want to compete for that $1,000, you’ll have to move along at a 5-minutes-per-mile pace and the competition is nothing to scoff at.

Race coordinator Dan Campbell has been working with a runner from Kenya, a fellow who won marathons in Santa Barbara two years straight and a half-dozen other races around the country.

His name is Moninda Felix Mauabe and they say watching him run is like watching the wind.

“He’s never been trained,” Campbell said. “He’s very raw. But we’ve been working with him. We’ve been fine-tuning him.”

Campbell organizes several raises around the country, including those in Santa Barbara. But although there will be Olympic-caliber runners on hand, Campbell stresses the objective of the race: Having fun and raising money for local charities.

“Truly the objective is to help the homeless and the community as a whole,” Campbell said. “I think we have a win-win situation here.”

The half marathon will run down Spring Road, while the cyclists will stay on West Auburn Road and North Auburn Road, where it later connects with Spring Road.

The relay will consist of three-person teams, all male, all female or mixed. Each team will run the entire 5K and their times will be added together for a team total. Each team member will also qualify as an individual runner in his or her age category.

Several area companies, including Central Maine Conditioning Center, Lamey Wellehan and Riverview Ski & Bike came together to organize the event.

Organizers say there will be a lot more than just running and riding going on. There will be entertainment at places like Tabers Ice Cream, which marks the halfway point. The Edward Little High School band will be on hand as well as other musical groups along the two routes.

A stretch of the race route will be festooned with balloons, and if you plan accordingly, you can get your name on one of them — balloons are being sold before the race, Campbell said, and every penny will be used to help the homeless.

The event should be such a good time organizers hope it will continue for years to come.

“It’s more than just a road race,” Campbell said. “And more than just an event. It’s really about community. That’s number one.”

More information about the race can be found at lakeauburnhalf.com

Other area races

The Greater L/A Triple Crown:

Emily’s Run: July 22

The Y Fit Fest: June 9

L/A Bridge Run: August 26

More info: triplecrown5k.com

The Dempsey Challenge: Various dates

More info: dempseychallenge.org

Bands on the Run half marathon: June 24