The annual Chocolate Chase run is taking place this weekend at Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut in the Village Mall in Red Deer.

This year marks the fourth annual race, with 3km, 5km walk/run and 10km options for people to choose from, along with the new addition of a Chocolate Chip Race for kids aged three and under. The event runs Aug. 27th.

“It’s a family friendly, all activity level friendly event,” said Leslee Burton, co-chair of the event. “We have strollers there, we have people with wheelchairs, we have real runners and we have just casual runners, so it’s all over the map.”

The name Chocolate Chase comes as a result of their title sponsor Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut. Burton said they wanted to have an event that combines healthy activities with a chance to have a little treat at the end of it.

“At the finish line we have chocolate treats from the chocolate shop, from Subway, from Famoso Pizzeria, and they’ll all have some chocolate at the end. There will be some chocolate wafers along the trail so people can have a little bit of energy boost while they stop for a piece of chocolate and a drink of water.”

Check in for the race starts at 8 a.m. Aug. 27th at Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut (#21, 6320-50th Ave.) and moves south on Gaetz Avenue, winding along Waskasoo Park trails, and then looping back to the parking lot in the Village Mall.

Registration fees are $20 for youth aged four to 14, $40 for adults or $100 for a family.

Registration is online only at cocolady.ca or on the Running Room web site.

There will also be activities for kids including an inflatable castle, balloon artists, face painting and more in the parking lot at the start and end of the race. There will also be a draw prizes for people to enter into.

“Everybody that registers also receives a unique Chocolate Chase headband,” said Burton.

Funds raised will help The Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise raise funds to support the Access for All Barrier free Playscape Project.