In addition to the usual events at this year’s Summer Celebration, organizers have added the Mercer Mile fun run.

The event will take place on Saturday morning, and does a mile loop starting and ending at Mercerdale Park by the Mercer Island Thrift Shop.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. and all racers must be finished by 9:45 a.m. before the Grand Parade begins at 10 a.m.

“We’re calling it Beat the Parade,” said Bruce Fletcher, the director of Parks and Recreation. “It’s a fun run, one mile, so most people should be able to do it in time.”

Participants are encouraged to dress like their favorite Olympic athlete, or favorite competing country to fit with this year’s theme of Spirit of the Olympics. There will not be bib numbers or official timing, but a finish line clock will be set up so racers can see their unofficial times.

Fletcher said the event is a fundraiser to help the Parks Department pay for special events, like the egg hunt and the Summer Celebration fireworks.

“It’s something different and we’re giving it a try,” he said. “There is definitely not one like this on the Island.”

The entry fee is $10 per person, and proceeds go to support the Mercer Island Parks & Recreation department, as well as the Mercer Island Rotary Club.

The first 100 finishers will receive medals and the top three male and female racers will get bigger medals.

To learn more visit the City’s Summer Celebration website.