Sparta - The ninth annual non-profit Main Street 5K Festival & Business Expo will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at the Sparta Athletic Club. The community event is expected to attract over 700 runners and walkers from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. “The competition will not be easy, for those striving for the top three prizes in both the men’s and women’s divisions,” said Andy Ball, event director. “We expect to field an excellent roster of runners, of Olympic-caliber talent from across the East Coast. Regardless of winning or losing the race, there will be rewards for all. The participation in an event to benefit a worthy organization is a great goal on any level, and for that we are all winners.” The event will raise funds to benefit Pass It Along, Camp Nejeda, I.E.S. Brain Research Foundation and the Robie Foundation. Runners can solicit donations for one or more of these non-profit groups, and 100 percent of their contributions will be donated to their specified organization. This year’s event also includes a pre-race activity. The weekend will begin with a Friday night pasta party, courtesy of Villa Capri II, starting at 7 p.m. at the Sparta Athletic Club. Admission free for all registered runners and walkers, $5 for non-participants. Saturday morning, the festivities will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude by 12:30 p.m. Participants are urged to arrive by 8:30 a.m. for parking and registration. Pre-race events will include a silent auction, bounce house, rock wall, door prizes, fun rides, complimentary massages, face painting, music deejayed by Oh Studios, and a large business expo. For the first time this year, a Main Street Events Community Café will be set up in the expo room from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with wraps from Carafellos, pizza from Villa Capri II, and heroes from Upper Lake Deli. The kids’one-mile fun run begins at 9 a.m. and the 5K race kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Mayor Ailish Hambel is expected to welcome the runners and start the race from a Newton Electric bucket truck. Joy Ball will sing the national anthem. Awards ceremony and door prizes will be presented between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The event has become a perennial favorite among area runners. “This is a fun race, I’ve always enjoyed it,” said Bill Bossner, participant in the Main Street 5K since its inception. “It’s a fast course; the first half mile is downhill and the second half mile is uphill,” added Bossner, a Sparta resident who has been running competitively for 13 years. “This event has the most amenities of any road race in New Jersey,” he continued. “The event around the race is the most impressive I’ve ever seen and the best part is the hot showers and heated area after the race.” Parking is available in the Sparta Athletic Club parking lot, Knoll Heights green grassy field in front of the complex, Health & Wellness Center, United Methodist Church, Stop N Shop, the Route 15 bypass’ open field. Parking attendants will be on hand for added direction. Carpooling is strongly recommended. The best places to view the race, aside from the Sparta Athletic Club where the race begins and ends, is along the Sparta Avenue and Main Street area to watch the runners early in the race, or along the Route 15 bypass to catch them toward the end, when some runners may really need the encouragement. “Our sponsors continue to find new and innovative ways to enhance the event, and for that we are grateful,” said Ball. “I would like to commend each past and future sponsor for their generous and continued support in our worthy event, allowing us to grow each year. The continued cooperation of the USATF-NJ as a governing body, Sparta Athletic Club’s many resources and the Township of Sparta have all contributed greatly in making our event a great success.” For race strategy tips, printable registration forms, race maps, volunteer applications, directions to Sparta Athletic Club and more, log onto mainstreetevents.org.