For 15 years, the Chum Run has signaled the end of school and the start of summer.

It started out as a small gathering with a handful of runners and grew into a community event that attracts more than 100 participants spanning all ages and abilities.

Originally held as a fundraiser, the Chum Run was a way to promote environmental stewardship in the South Whidbey schools and to restore chum salmon in Maxwelton Creek (hence the name, Chum Run).

While the race was establishing its identity, the course, distance, and terrain consistently changed — sometimes the race was a 5 kilometer, sometimes a 10 kilometer, sometimes flat, and sometimes hilly. For the past 10 years, the 5K race was held on the groomed forest paths at South Whidbey Community Park, where it will be this year, too.

Frazer Mann, Chum Run race director and an amateur cross country runner, became involved with the race eight years ago. His first order was offering the funds to the South Whidbey cross country teams.

Money raised by the event benefits the South Whidbey High School cross country teams and the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation Scholarship Fund. The cross country teams use the funds toward traveling expenses for invitational meets and the state championships.

“We were looking for a worthy cause,” Mann said. “And, myself being a runner, saw how important it was for, and how running transformed, young people. Their parents were really motivated to help us, because their kids were involved in running, so it was just a perfect fit.”

Carrie Monforte, program coordinator for South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District, said the district provides organizational support with the facilities, promotion and registration. The race organizers are not charged for the use of South Whidbey Community Park.

”It’s a very fun-loving event, lots of goofiness happens,” Monforte said. “Not that the other events aren’t fun-loving, too. It’s just a fun day on the park, on the trails with lots of community support that comes out to have a good time together.

Mann hoped to raise between $2,000 and $4,000 at the race through registration fees. About 80 racers are registered for the Chum Run, and Mann estimated close to 200 will race on June 5, as long as the skies are clear.

The Chum Run is organized and produced by local volunteers whose mission it is to encourage running in both school children and the South Whidbey community at large.

“We specifically focus on the school-age runners,” Mann said. “With the dramatic increase in childhood obesity and inactivity, we feel that running is one of the best antidotes. The patterns that children establish early on become lifelong habits. We want to reward young people for challenging their limitations and reaching for quality goals.”

Physical fitness is only one goal of the race. The other is to get outside and foster fun with friends and community.

Chum Run Master of Ceremonies Jim Freeman has a unique brand of zany humor that sets the tone and keeps things lively.

“Our goal is to make the Chum Run a fun event for everyone regardless of running ability, whether you’re an elite runner, jogger or a walker,” Mann said.

Mann encourages the light-hearted attitude by including a costume contest, an impromptu prerace dance instruction and chocolate medals. Another annual highlight that creates the light-hearted attitude Mann wants is the Fry Run for children 10 years old and younger, in which every child receives a Chum Run medal.

Run organizers rely heavily on volunteers and on donations from sponsors to make the event a success. Despite the weak economy, sponsors continue to offer their support. Sponsors include Road Runner Sports, Super Jock ‘n Jill, Run26, Radioshack, Payless, Village Pizzeria, Useless Bay Coffee Co., the Clyde and Mike’s Place.

This means that participants will have the opportunity to earn plenty of prizes. The first place male and female runners for elementary, middle school, high school and the open divisions will receive a gift certificate for a pair of running shoes.

Once a South End event, the Chum Run is now a Whidbey-wide race. Mann’s ambition may extend its draw beyond the beaches, too. He said he invites cross country teams from Kamiak and middle schools in the Mukilteo School District.

Sign-ups for the race start at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, June 5 at South Whidbey Community Park on Maxwelton Road.

For details and to register go to www.swparks.org, or call the South Whidbey Park & Rec office at 221-5484.

Frazer Mann contributed to this story.