There are a lot of 5K charity races out there but the Cove to Clover event between Normandy Park and Burien, set for Sunday, March 13, is unique.

As might be expected, a former Mt. Rainier climbing guide designed the course.

"We set out to create something unique that would showcase the best attributes of our community. There are thousands of flat, peaceful 5Ks in the world-- this is not one of them," organizer John Nelson declared. "I believe the shared suffering we experience as we overcome the rigors of the course helps bond the diverse individuals of the community. People outside our community are discovering the magic we've stumbled upon and are joining in the pain...er...fun."

Right out of the 1 p.m. starting gate at the Normandy Park Cove, 1500 S.W. Shorebrook Dr., runners will face the nearly 500-foot "Snake Hill."

And once on top, runners might not have much time to enjoy the beautiful views of Puget Sound or the ethereal sounds of a Highland piper. Instead they must overcome "The Uprising," a runner obstacle staged in a Celtic battle scene reenactment.

Runners may opt to bypass "The Uprising" but the route is about .01 mile longer.

A "Wee Race" for kids, first-timers and families begins at 1:40 p.m. at St. Francis Catholic Church, 15236 21st Ave. S.W. in Burien. The 1-mile course is flat.

Both races end at Burien Town Square, Southwest 152nd Street and 6th Avenue Southwest.

At Town Square, there will be two entertainment stages with free Celtic entertainment, artisans and craft vendors, a beer garden and local restaurant food specials. The Celtic Folk Fair runs not only Sunday from noon-5 p.m., but also the previous day, March 12, from noon-6 p.m.

Back at the Cove Saturday night from 7-11 p.m., an Irish Gala features a traditional Irish dinner and dancing to a live Irish band.

The three-day event kicks off Friday, March 11 with a Pub Crawl. The crawl begins at 6 p.m. at Mick Kelly's Irish Pub with opening ceremonies for Cove to Clover at 11 p.m. at Burien Town Square.

All proceeds from the events will go to the Highline Food Bank, Hospitality House women's shelter at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church and the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence.

For prices and more details on the events, visit www.covetoclover.com.

New this year is the "Angel" program where sponsors pay the race fees for Highline students on a free and reduced lunch program.

The Cove to Clover started three years ago when Nelson, Mick Purdy, co-owner of Mick Kelly's Irish Pub, and some friends were seeking a way to benefit the community.

Nelson, a software engineer and former Mt. Rainier guide, was a volunteer at the Highline Food Bank. The first year, 450 runners participated with about $15,000 raised.

Last year, about $37,000 was raised and Nelson hopes this year to attract more than 2,000 runners and raise $50,000.