SANDPOINT — Named for its first beneficiary, Jacey’s Race has a long history of helping children diagnosed with various forms of cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Jacey’s Race was started for Jacelyn “Jacey” Lawson, who was 4 years old when she was diagnosed with a stage IV Wilms’ tumor. The first Jacey’s Race took place in Boulder, Colo., in 2001, and when the family moved to Sandpoint, they brought Jacey’s Race along with them. Now, Jacey is cancer free and she and her family continue to run the race and help kids with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses each year.

Run locally since 2007, Jacey’s Race benefits three to four families each year, while also providing gifts to Community Cancer Services, as well as the pediatric department of Bonner General Health.

“Jacey’s Race offers a day of sunshine, healthy exercise, healthy snacks, and a means for community members to show the helping spirit that Bonner County is famous for,” Jacey’s Race officials said in a statement, adding they expect more than 300 5K and 200 1K runners and walkers to participate this year.

This year’s beneficiaries include Ian Baines, 7, who has been diagnosed with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and epilepsy; Paisley Choate, also 7 years old, has been diagnosed with pre B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia; and Ledgen Lara-Nelson, 9, has been diagnosed with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

The Jacey’s Race 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, July 14, with the 1K fun run at 9:15 a.m. The cost is $25 for the 5K and $15 for the 1K; children 12 and under are free.

Online registration is available at jaceys-race.com/register, and registration forms can be found at various locations around town as well, including the Alpine Shop, Bonner General Health, Arnie’s Conoco and Fleet Feet Sports. Registration is available the day of the race at Sandpoint High School for an extra $5 per person. Registration and check-in for runners begins at 7 a.m. on race day, or stop by SHS on Saturday between 4-5:30 p.m. for pickup of bibs, water bottles and T-shirts.

On race day, the three fastest men and women get cash prizes of $200, $150 and $100, and the top three of each age group get medals and commemorative Jacey’s Race glass cups. The top 10 1K child finishers get prizes as well. The highest number of registered runners of either race wins the team trophy — a plaque with the team photo kept by the winning team for one year.

“The rest get a sense of satisfaction when seeing the happy grins of Paisley, Ian and Ledgen, as this day is for them,” officials said in the statement.

This year, Jacey’s Race will again feature a chili cook-off, courtesy of Ponderay Rotary Club, a dunk tank, water-slide, face-painting, massages, snow-cones and cotton candy.

A silent auction will be held during the race as well, and this year, Jacey’s Race officials are also raffling off a Sun Bicycles Electrolyte Bicycle valued at $1,649.99, donated by the Rotary Club of Ponderay Centennial. Tickets are $2 each, with proceeds helping out the 2019 beneficiaries.

Donations are accepted as well and can be made online at jaceys-race.com/donate.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.