Local residents are gearing up to participate in the annual Mathews Market Days Run/Walk, and they hope more people will join in. Three races will be held beginning at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, in Mathews Court House.

Spokesperson Libby Crawford said she and a small group of walkers are training for the walk/run every Saturday morning beginning at 8 o’clock at the Mathews Family YMCA on Buckley Hall Road. The group leaves from the Y and walks (or runs) one of the routes set up. The shortest course is all sidewalk, from the Y to the intersection of Pine Hall and Buckley Hall roads and back.

“We want to encourage everyone to come and walk with us,” said Crawford. There is no charge, and participants do not have to be members of the Y.

On race day, runners will gather for registration beginning at 6:45 a.m. at the Y. Costs range from free for the 1 Mile Fun Run (without a T-shirt) to $40 for same-day sign-up for the 10K. Age categories are: 18 and under, 19-29, 30...