Selma City Schools is preparing to host its annual run to help promote wellness and further strengthen its school athletic programs.

Selma City Schools Athletic Department and Hibbett Sports will present the fifth annual Butterflies and Bridges Run — an 8k competitive race and 2-mile Fun Run/Walk—Saturday, April 14 at 8 a.m. starting at Selma High School.

Patrick D. Evans, athletics director of Selma City Schools, said the run is aimed at promoting health and supporting the athletic programs of Selma City Schools.

“It’s a run that we’ve sponsored for the community of Selma in order to help us promote health, wvellness and fitness in the community,” Evans said. “It’s also one of our fundraisers that we have done in order to raise funds for our athletic department for a lot of areas, in particular, our non-revenue sports, such as baseball, softball and track and field.”

The 8k race course is a fast run starting and ending at Selma High School and running through Selma’s historic district and it’s historic Broad Street, going over the Edmund Pettus Bridge and back.

The 8k is a competitive race with times being posted and awards being given out at a ceremony afterward, with cash prizes for the top three male and female finishers.

There is also a 2-mile run/walk for those who want to support the program, but don’t want to run.

Evans said a goal has been set to raise $10,000 that will also go toward a program that could help student-athletes receive scholarships.