It’s the start of a new year, and it will soon be time once again to begin a series of races to span the year.

Since 2018, Defining Moments Events has hosted the Ole Brook Run Series. It’s five races a year, and most of them benefit one of a number of charities. The races begin with the Cupid Shuffle, a Valentine-themed race in February and continue on until Run Run Rudolph in December.

“We know there’s a lot of people who like to run races year around,” Defining Moments Events owner Steven McMorris said.

The company offers $25 early tickets and $30 regular tickets for races. Tickets can also be purchased the day-of for $35. The price of registration also includes a T-shirt, finisher medal, bib, swag bag and an after party. For each race, there is an earlier deadline to guarantee T-shirt availability.

The Cupid Shuffle will be Feb. 15, with day-of registration and packet pick-up from 7 until 8 a.m. Participants will meet at the Lincoln County Military Museum on 125 S Whitworth Ave. The 10K run and 5K run/walk will start at 8 a.m., and the kids’ run will start at 9 a.m. Awards and the after party will begin at 9:30 a.m. Deadline for early registration is Jan. 11, and the deadline to guarantee T-shirt availability is Jan. 26. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Run to Remember will be May 23, with day-of registration and packet pick-up from 6:30 until 7:30 a.m. The 10K run and 5K run/walk will start at 7:30 a.m., and the kids’ run will start at 8:30 a.m. Awards and the after party will begin at 9 a.m. The deadline for early registration is April 15, and deadline to guarantee T-shirt availability is May 1. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior project.

Splash Dash will be July 18, with day-of registration and packet pick-up 6:30-7:30 a.m. The 5K run/walk will start at 7:30 a.m., and the kids’ run will start at 9 a.m. Awards and after party will begin at 9:30 am. Deadline for early registration is June 6. Deadline for guaranteeing a T-shirt is July 1. Proceeds will benefit a school supply drive for the Brookhaven School District.

Trick or Treat Trot is scheduled for Oct. 24, with day-of registration and packet pick-up from 5 until 6 p.m. The 5K run/walk will start at 6 p.m., and the kids’ run will follow at 7 p.m. Awards and the after party will begin at 7:30 p.m. The deadline for early registration is Sept. 15, and the deadline for guaranteeing T-shirt availability is Oct. 3.

Run Run Rudolph will be Dec. 5, with day-of registration and packet pick-up from 7 until 8 a.m. The 10K run and 5K run/walk will start at 8 a.m., and the kids run will start at 9:30 a.m. Awards and the after party will begin at 10 a.m. The deadline for early registration is Nov. 3, and the deadline for guaranteeing T-shirt availability is Nov. 14. Proceeds from the race will benefit Toys for Tots.

McMorris founded Defining Moments Events in 2017 with his wife, Jennifer, and the two of them enjoy running themselves, along with their children, Bradley and Elizabeth.

“We love our town,” McMorris said. “We love putting on events and giving people a reason to get out and be active. This is something we really love doing.”

For children, Defining Moments also offers a 1-mile race during each event, with a fee of $10 or $15 the day of. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate. Parents can race with their under-12 children free of charge, but awards can only be given to children 12 and up who are registered.

“We found a lot of families are doing it together,” McMorris said in a previous edition of The Daily Leader. “We want to get kids involved in that activity at an early age. The more we can get kids active the better it is plus there’s that sense of accomplishment when they cross the finish line and get a medal around their neck. That smile is worth it.”

Advanced tickets for the races can be purchased online, and the website for the Ole Brook Run Series has changed. Tickets and additional information can now be found at www.runolebrook.com.