If you think you can't raise money in your running shoes right here in Auburn, then you probably haven't heard of the Majorpalooza Run for Life 5k race.

The race is the newest addition to the Majorpalooza event that raises money for local charities, while also giving the Auburn community a day of fun activities.

“We just decided to team up the two events and have one big event,” said Vin Gleason, the Run for Life founder. “The run will kick off the Majorpalooza events and wrap up just as the Majorpalooza festivities are beginning.”

The event takes place today with the race starting at 10 a.m. at Cayuga Community College. The cost to register for the 5K is $25 per adult runner or $15 for youths, which includes a T-shirt and a ticket to Majorpalooza.

The Run for Life started as an idea to help raise money for cancer research and also in honor of children's causes. Gleason decided to do a race like this while his two children were in the hospital struggling to survive. His daughter Kaylei was born with a rare kidney disease and at two months old, his son Braeden had to undergo brain surgery. Their struggles in the hospital inspired Gleason to start running to alleviate stress during these difficult times. Eventually, he decided to use that drive to create something that would change lives.

“It seems like everyone has a family member affected by cancer or someone they have had to see struggle to survive,” Gleason said. “I saw what Chris Major was doing with Majorpalooza and we thought that it would be great to bring the two events together and bring the community together for different causes.”

Gleason said he designed the course of the race to represent the journey that people go through when battling cancer. At the end of the race there are 100 awards to be presented, 22 of which are dedicated and named after someone in the community that has been affected by cancer.

“Every year we want to name more awards after even more people from this community,” Gleason said. “It is really important that we keep this a community event and show just what a close community this is.”

The family aspect is also a part of the race, as well as the Majorpalooza events to follow, with a fun run and a free children's run as well, Gleason wants to make sure the entire family is involved in this healthy activity.

“Our goal was to create an inexpensive family day where the kids were always free and everyone could enjoy themselves together while raising money for causes,” Gleason said. “There will be free food while it lasts, bounce houses and other activities for kids, music and so much more after a run that the entire family can have fun with.”

Although the event is a family-geared day, the 5K race is still shaping up to be a competitive race that is also perfect for the more of runners in the community. But the objective remains to raise money for worthy causes and bring the community together.

“It can be done here in Auburn,” Gleason said. “An affordable event for everyone to enjoy in this economy while still raising money for charity can be done here and hopefully we will inspire others.”

The Majorpalooza events taking place today will benefit Relay For Life, Matthew House and Hospice.