ERIE, Pa. — If there weren’t a finish line and a lot of people wearing race numbers, you might think the annual Women’s Engagement Council (WEC) Run for Women 5K run/walk at Penn State Behrend is a party. There’s a DJ, ice cream, a photographer and lots of people posing for group photos.

“There’s a lot of laughter and cheering,” said race director Heather Cass, the publications manager at Behrend and a WEC board member. “It’s a very joyful and supportive atmosphere for runners or walkers of any age or ability.”

Registration for this year’s run/walk, on Sunday, Aug. 25, is now open. Details are at the WEC webpage.

The 3.1-mile run/walk starts and ends in front of the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Center (AMIC), on Technology Drive. The course is relatively flat: Participants travel down Technology Drive and complete a full loop and a quarter of Knowledge Parkway before returning to AMIC.

The race cost is just $25 with a T-shirt, or $20 with no shirt. K-12 students can run or walk for just $15 with a shirt, or $10 with no shirt. Shirts are only available in adult sizes.

There will be awards for the top three women overall, and for the top three women in each five-year age group. Every participant will receive a finisher’s gift.

Need more incentive? The post-race party will feature free Berkey Creamery ice cream.

Though the race celebrates and caters to women, the event is open to all, regardless of sex, gender or ability.

To learn more, or to register, visit the Run for Women webpage.