The Airborne and Special Operations Museum (ASOM) plays a vital role in the Fayetteville and Cumberland County area. Not only does it allow residents to learn about the history of airborne and special-operations soldiers, it also supports the community through fundraisers.

The ASOM is spearheading another fundraising event — Run for the Legend. Run for the Legend is a 5K/10K race that supports educational programs at the ASOM. This year, on June 4, the ASOM will celebrate the run’s fourth anniversary. The name Run for the Legend is a “statement that reflects how each runner is directly influencing and supporting the legends that are behind each solider.,” according to ASOM.

During the initial run, the race did not raise much money. In year one, the ASOM raised $4,000, in year two $7,000 and in year three $10,000. The goal for this year’s race lies in it’s growth. Each year more runners have participated; growing from 200 runners to the expected 500 runners for this year’s race. The ASOM is also hoping the increase in runners will increase the amount of money raised. MJ Soffe, the Fayetteville New Car and Truck Dealer Association, Fayetteville Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Booz Allen Hamilton and JSO (Joint Special Operations) have all become sponsors of the race.

Events like Run for the Legend enable the ASOM to offer more to the public as well as to maintain current programming. Money received by the foundation is “used in direct support of the museum. The money helps in the cost of mailings of education information to more than 600 schools in the surrounding areas; the money is also used to fund events, exhibits, the volunteer program budget and the many other facets of the museum operations.”

Programs like these support the community by educating residents on the history of the airborne and special-operations community, and it brings more visitors to the museum and the City of Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

Run for the Legend is a sure way to support Fayetteville and the ASOM. The race will start at the ASOM at 8 a.m. The ASOMF Run for the Legend is sanctioned by USA Track & Field (USATF). The USATF certified course begins and ends on the Hay Street side of the museum. Atlantic Coast Timing Systems will time the participants using the ChampionChip system. The top three men and women in each race receive trophies.

The top three men and women in their age group will receive medals.

Online registration is available through www.active.com, which will also accept donations. Registration is also available at the museum. Participants may turn in their forms and entry fee in the museum gift shop, or mail them to the museum. Registration is $25, with a discounted rate for groups of five runners or more. Strollers, wagons and well behaved, leashed dogs are permitted, but will be asked to start in the back.

Anyone interested in registering for the race or volunteering is encouraged to contact Lauren Campbell at grants@asomf.org or (910) 643-2778.

Photo: Run for the Legend is a 5K/10K race that supports educational programs at the ASOM.