MEXICO — A local fitness center will host its annual 5K run/walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at Hosmer Field in Rumford to raise money for autism awareness and services.

Rich Viitala Jr., owner and personal trainer of Fire and Iron Athletics, said this is the first time he hasheld a 5K race.

“I’ve never hosted one before, but luckily, I have volunteers who have been part of many,” he said, “and without them, I could never have done this.”

The entry fee for the Full Spectrum race is $25, with all proceeds going toward autism awareness and research.

“I know several people, from kids to adults, who are autistic or have Asperger’s (syndrome), which is a high-functioning form of autism,” Viitala said. “I’ve always felt that there was a way that I could give back to help those with autism.”

The route for the 5K starts and ends at Hosmer Field. Racers will have the opportunity to run or walk through residential areas with a minimal amount of hills.

“The route we used for this 5K run/walk is the same that other groups have used for their own 5Ks,” Viitala said. “We felt that it was our best option, since we wanted to stick closely to the type of routes other 5Ks had used.”

Viitala said he wants to make it an annual event.

According to the gym’s website, Fire and Iron Athletics is a small fitness center offering services to the public such as weight training, cardio equipment, personal training, martial arts training and general fitness classes.

For more information, visit the Fire and Iron Athletics Facebook page at www.facebook.com/forgedbyfia.

mdaigle@sunjournal.com