Runners and walkers will be running their race on the roadways, parking lots and athletic fields on the campus. This year's first-time naming sponsor is Annapolis orthodontist Dr. Mairead O'Reilly.

Race organizers are excited about the change of venue. Event chairman Miriam Mellin and the other volunteers have been plotting not only the race course but the adjunct events that will be part of the morning. Alumni Director Neville Gardner, herself a marathoner, has run the course to be sure it is fun but challenging.

For registration forms and directions to the Upper School campus, visit www.indiancreekschool.com. Anyone planning to run the race should arrive at the school no later than 8 a.m. for parking accommodations and pre-race activities.

Registration will open at 7 a.m. Walk-ups are welcome. Goodie bags will be distributed as long as they last, including a race T-shirt. Pre-registered runners already will be sporting their T-shirts for the race's start.

Before the race starts at 8:30 a.m., Liz Barclay and Nancy Chalkley will help runners get ready with some warm-up exercises. For those who need a little extra sustenance, breakfast foods will be available throughout the morning.

Just before the race's start, the school's choruses will lead the crowd in singing "The Star Spangled Banner."

When the race starts, the first group off the line will be the runners. The course accommodates runners, as well as runners with jogging strollers. Their race will be timed, with the Annapolis Striders running the finishing line and providing the times.

For those looking for just a little exercise, this year's race offers the 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk. Walkers will be sharing the course with runners, but their later start will separate them from the runners. One-milers of all ages are welcome on this closed course. The young, the old, wheelchairs, babies in strollers and kids in wagons are welcome. Pets, bikes, skates, skateboards and headphones need to stay home.

Volunteers will be stationed throughout the course, offering water and making sure no one strays. Members of the school community, including students, will man the volunteer posts. The race provides service opportunities for its high school students and alumni high school students.

The new location is a great place for spectators. Nearly the entire course is visible from the school. They'll be able to cheer the runners and walkers as they cross the finish line at the entrance to the school.

As the crowd waits for the results to be tallied, they can enjoy Adrenaline Rush, an inflatable obstacle course. Or, they can listen to hear if emcee Aaron Kleffman calls out their names as winners of the door prizes.

The race committee will award medals for overall male and female winners and for the top places in each of the age groups from the youngest to the oldest.

Race proceeds go to the Indian Creek School Parent Teacher Organization and the David A. Nagey Foundation for Perinatal Outreach, Education and Research.

Church dinner

With a good race completed, area residents can plan on a good meal May 3 at the annual St. Stephen's Church Spring Dinner.

Carol McNemar, on behalf of the church members, invites us to enjoy a home-cooked meal. For more than 20 years the Women's Guild and the Circle group have sponsored the traditional feast of ham, turkey salad, cranberry Jell-O salad, new potatoes, corn pudding, green beans, desserts and beverages.

The meal is prepared by church members starting four days before the event. It is as much fellowship and fun as work. The Episcopal Teens help with setup and cleanup. Youngsters age 8 and older help wait tables. It's a whole church event.

The bake table, organized for many years by Kate Marshall and her daughter-in-law, Dixie Korbach, will feature baked goodies donated by members and friends. The special treats are the jellies and relishes made by Miss Kate and her family with ingredients from their garden.

A true springtime event, the dinner includes a plant sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Healthy bedding plants, hanging plants and herbs come from Country Gardens on St. Stephen's Church Road, owned by Tom Boehm.

Proceeds from the plant sale will help finance the Appalachian Service Project in West Virginia, and proceeds from the dinner will pay for the new roof put on the church in the past few weeks.

The dinner is from 3-6:30 p.m. May 3, with carry-out available. The cost for adults is $17. It's $7 for children ages 5 to 12. Children under age 5 eat for free.

For more information, call the church at 410-721-2881.