Runners are a category of peanut plants so it was only natural that the Brundidge Historical Society would include “runners” when planning the first Peanut Butter Festival 19 years ago.

So, from the beginning, a 5K Peanut Butter Run has been one of the main events of the annual harvest and heritage celebration on the last Saturday in October in downtown Brundidge, which can boast of having one of the first commercial peanut butter mills in the Southeast.

The Peanut Butter Run is sponsored by Troy Bank & Trust Company and runners of all “varieties” are invited to enter.

“The Peanut Butter Run is a popular event among runners but we also encourage ‘Goober Walkers,’ to participate in the mile walk,” said Dixie Shehane, coordinator of the event.

“The 5K run gets under way with the ringing of the cowbell at 8 a.m. on Festival day at Green’s Antiques on the south side of town and from there it’s all downhill. Well, not exactly, but we do have a flat course that runners really enjoy because they can record some good times.”

The route takes runners along Main Street that is all decked out for the Peanut Butter Festival, doubles back on Church Street past the Johnston Mill Museum where the first peanut butter was manufactured commercially by J.D. Johnston in 1928 and then back to Green’s Antiques for refresh-ments and the awarding of prizes.

Prizes are awarded in age and gender categories. The overall winner of the 2010 5K Peanut Butter Run will receive an original ceramic “Peanut Runner” designed by Brundidge artist Larry Godwin.

The entry fee is $10 and all runners who pre-register will be guaranteed a Peanut Butter Run tee shirt in the specified size.

Registration forms are available at TB&T in Brundidge and at the bank’s main office in Troy, the Troy University Sports and Fitness Management Center and The Messenger.

On-site registration will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 30 at Green’s Antiques on South Main Street in Brundidge.

For more information call, 334-735-9191.