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The Annual Toast Pancake Run will return 8 am Sunday.

This year, the charitable 5K run/ 2K walk will be held in support of Root to Rise, a local nonprofit that provides free health-based resources, services, and support to those in recovery and with mental health issues.

Kicking off at St. James Place and Lake Avenue, the course traverses along the waterfront before returning to Kennedy Park, where participants are treated to a free pancake breakfast.

“I couldn’t have do this without the support of my friends,” the Cookman Avenue Restaurant’s Owner Amy Russo Harrigan has said.

Those close to 25 friends not only serve as route guides but come together to distribute water, fruit, race medals, and of course pancakes to the runners.

Root to Rise founder Amy Budinich has said she launched the nonprofit to give those suffering from addiction and mental illness an alternative route to wellness through yoga, meditation, and other health practices.

“We have about 15 outreach programs that run throughout Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex counties,” she has said. “We go out and teach meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and relaxation to people in adult and adolescent recovery programs, juvenile detention centers, and rehabs.”

A last minute registration begins 7 am, with the 5K run kicking off at 8 am and walk at 8:15 am. Walk registration is $25 and run registration is $35. The free pancake party will be held in Kennedy Park, located at 104 Grand Ave, and an awards ceremony will be held at 9:30 am.

For more about the event, visit the event website at toastpancakerunap.com. For more about Root to Rise, visit the website at roottorisenj.com.

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