ORANGE PARK – The BASCA Cape Abilities 5K run is back this year after going virtual in 2020.

BASCA’s 5K fundraiser has been around for nearly a decade but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it had to be held virtually last year. While a virtual option is still available, an in-person 5K and one-mile run is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 8:30 a.m. to raise money for the organization.

“It funds our many programs,” said BASCA representative Pam Mylrea. “What we’re looking at right now is supportive employment for individuals who want a job ... so we’re raising funds for that. That program is already in place here. We’re just enhancing what we offer.”

BASCA is a Clay County 501(c)3 charity organization located in the heart of Orange Park whose mission is to provide better living, working, educational, social and recreational opportunities for children and adults with special needs. The BASCA 5K was started nine years ago to help fund all that BASCA does for the Clay County community, according to Mylrea.

It was a small and simple fundraiser when it was first started, more aimed at getting people outside and exercising than a full-blown fundraiser. Thanks to the local community’s support, however, the fundraiser has grown to be much larger.

This year’s 5K will be a smaller version compared to 2019. There will be food, games and more for both participants and those on the sidelines cheering on the runners as they pass by. Food has been donated by Dairy Queen and the Urban Bean Coffeehouse Café in Orange Park.

The Jacksonville Jaguar Foundation is this year’s title sponsor and Mylrea said BASCA is expecting Jaxson ‘de Ville and cheerleaders from the team’s ROAR squad to be at the event. While not required, BASCA encourages runners to register online before the event at www.bascainc.org. Registration will be opening up for in-person runners at 8 a.m. the day of the races.

BASCA encourages everyone to wear a cape or even a full-on superhero costume in support of the 5K’s “Cape Abilities” theme.

“We started in 2018 with capes and it took off,” Mylrea said. “It’s called ‘Cape Abilities’ and it’s about how everyone has different capabilities. People of all unique abilities can do things and they can be members of the Orange Park and Clay County community. That’s what this is about.”

The race will begin in front of the BASCA office in Orange Park and this year’s races will feature something new: BASCA buddies. BASCA has rounded up Orange Park Police Department officers, Orange Park Fire Department responders, VyStar employees and more to act as BASCA buddies. If someone would like a BASCA buddy, that buddy will run or walk the entire race with them. Mylrea said this is another way to highlight that everyone is a part of this community and that everyone wants to support each other.

The cost for the 5K is $35 and $10 for the one-mile run. If someone registers for the 5K, they get a unique finisher medal and a t-shirt. A different medal and t-shirt come with the one-mile run as well and anyone who places in the 5K will get a “special and unique medal made by those who attend BASCA’s day program.”

Anyone who registers will also be entered into a raffle for two tickets to the upcoming football game that will see the Jacksonville Jaguars face off against the Tennessee Titans.

“It’s going to be a great time and we expect everything to wrap up around 11:30 a.m.,” Mylrea said. “Come out and support your community however you can.”