Saturday, April 21 marks the 11th year that participants will gather for the Race for the Birds in Shepherdstown. Held at the National Conservation Training Center, the event is sponsored by the Potomac Valley Audubon Society to raise funds for their children’s camps and activities.

NCTC, a 533-acre facility overlooking the Potomac River outside of Shepherdstown, is not open to the public on a daily basis. The Race for the Birds provides an opportunity to assist the Audubon Society as well as open the Center up for the enjoyment of all.

The event incorporates a variety of activities to allow the entire family to participate. A 4.9 mile race will be held as well as a 7.7 trail mile race for those seeking more of a challenge. Those less inclined to be so competitive may choose the two-mile Eagle Next Jog/Walk while children are not forgotten but are designated their own one mile fun run.

Registration for the race is still being accepted on line at www.raceforbirds.org or may be done the morning of the race beginning at 7:30 a.m. Costs increase just a bit for waiting until the last minute to register so those interested are encouraged to visit the website prior to Saturday’s race starts.

Prizes are given for a variety of categories including one to each child who participates in the Fun Run. In addition, there is no registration fee for those youths who join in that event.

Hundreds of joggers and walkers are expected to take part in the event which has become a highly anticipated activity.

Hoxton Financial is this year’s “Platinum Level” sponsor, meaning they have contributed more than $1,000.

The other race sponsors are as follows:

– Gold Level ($500 or more): The Journal, National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown Chronicle, The Observer, The Spirit of Jefferson, Two Rivers Treads..

– Silver Level ($250 or more): Chick-fil-A Martinsburg, Friends of Mark Benedict, Hypno Coffee, Coffee Roaster-Coffee Bar; Jay Boyd, DDS and C. Greg Shephen Hussard, DDS, Jefferson Security Bank, Progressive Printing, Tom Maiden Insurance Outfitters.

– Bronze Level ($100 or more): AC&T Co. Inc., Associated Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Bistro 112, Brown’s Tire, Towing and Auto Care Center, Budget Blinds of Martinsburg, Caribbean Islands Travel Service, Clissy Funkhouser-FunkyCPA.com, D’Accord Boutique, David Miljour, DC, Davitt McAteer & Associates, Depot Florist, Dickinson and Wait Craft Gallery, Dr. Cathy Funk, Edward Jones Investments-Shepherdstown, Grapes and Grains Gourmet, Healthway of Martinsburg, Jean Neely, Jefferson Chiropractic Center, John A. Draper, MD, Joseph W. Brookreson, Lynne.Wiseman@ERA.Com, Realtor, Mellow Moods Caf, Millers Electric Company, Mountain View Solar, Nestle-Juicy Juice, Patthoff General Dentistry, Pedal and Paddle , Professional SportsCare and Rehab, Ray P. Vanderhook, DDS, MS, Roach Energy/ROCS, Ryan McCarthy, MD, Shepherdstown Pharmacy, Shepherdstown Sweet Shop, Ted Leslie, DDS, William F. Queen, DDS and Whitney Queen Spry, DDS.

For more information on the race, visit www.raceforbirds.org or call Jimmy or Suzi Munnis at 304-876-6784.