Walk, jog or run - Rhody Run Sunday turns out the best Port Townsend has to offer in the 37th staging of "the run that cares for the runner."

The Jefferson Healthcare Rhody Run 12K course is certified by USATF. As of May 11, preregistration numbered about 1,325 entries, said Jeni Little, race director.

"We're expecting a total of 1,800," she said. The early registrants are 63 percent female, and from 15 states, the District of Columbia and British Columbia, Canada. The earliest registrants are from Port Townsend (25 percent) followed by Port Hadlock (2.6 percent) and Chimacum (2.1 percent).

New this year, Rogue Multi-Sport has put a QR code on each entry bib, so finishers have nearly instant results, Little noted.

Rhody Run attracts people of all speeds. Elite runners booked for 2015 include defending champion Uli Steidl and his wife, former champ Trisha Steidl (track coach at Seattle University), Kristi Houk and Brett Winegar from Seattle, and Craig Leon and Juliane Accurso from Eugene, Oregon.

New this year: Prior to the race, the Zumbanistas and Twisters Gymnastics entertain at Fort Worden.

The drum-beating

Rhythm Planet ensemble launches participants at the start line and provides music again as runners reach the finish line.

Jefferson Healthcare public hospital district's Kate Burke, Marie Dressier, John Nowak and Judi Turdini begin handing out medals within the runners' compound at 1 p.m., so finishers have a chance to wear their medals in the crowd. A formal awards presentation, near the announcer's porch on Officer's Row, begins at about 2 p.m., when the Jefferson Healthcare Cup results are ready.

Water stations along the course have the Jefferson County YMCA serving at mile 2, Port Townsend Kiwanis at mile 4, and the Elks Lodge No. 31 at mile 6.

The Port Townsend School of Massage adds a touch of class by offering free (by donation) 15-minute massages at an Officer's Row house before and after the event.

A big thanks goes to the Port Townsend Police Department, East Jefferson Fire Rescue and Washington State Parks personnel, who do so much to help on Rhody Run day and throughout the festival, Little said.

FERRY REMINDER

Reminder: There is no shuttle bus to get participants or spectators to and from Fort Worden from the Port Townsend ferry terminal or Haines Place Park-and-Ride. In terms of ferry service, the first two sailings on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route on Sunday, May 17 are canceled due to low tide, and the 10:15 a.m. departure from Coupeville may not be enough time for someone to arrive in downtown PT and reach Fort Worden by the Rhody Run's 11 a.m. start. Rhody Run registrants are being advised to take the Edmonds-Kingston ferry route.

RACE REGISTRATION

Online registration ends at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 14.

People already registered for the Jefferson Healthcare Rhody Run XXXVII on Sunday at Fort Worden may pick up their registration packets on Saturday, 3-8 p.m. inside the Fort Worden Commons (new location). This is also the last chance to register for the race at the regular price of $35 for adults, $15 for kids.

Day-of-race registration opens at 9 a.m. on May 17 and closes at 10:30 a.m. inside the Fort Worden Commons (new location). Race-day entry fees are $50, $20 for kids.

On race day, the upper Fort Worden campus is open for parking; follow the signs.

For more details, see rhodyrun.org.

KIDS SPRINT FOR HEALTH

The third annual Kids Sprint for Health starts at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday near the sidewalk that bisects the Fort Worden Parade Ground. Sponsored by Jefferson Healthcare, the sprint is free and open to all kids ages 9 and younger; registration begins at 9 a.m. Distinctive finishers' shirts are awarded to all participants. For Kids Sprint information, call 385-2200, ext. 2037, or email bhunting@jeffersonhealth-care.org.

HEALTHCARE CUP

The third annual Jefferson Healthcare Cup is a team competition meant to encourage fitness and healthy lifestyles among people associated with businesses, organizations and government entities. Teams are made up of from five to 15 members and matched against teams of similar size with points awarded per age-group finish. Entry fee is $150 per team, which covers registration for as many as seven people.

There are 12 teams registered, including six representing Port Townsend Paper Corp.

Rhody Run tips

• No dogs or other pets, please, except for service animals.

• You may pick up only your own race number, no one else's.

• Runners younger than 18 must have an adult cosign their registration.

• People pushing strollers are asked to start toward the back of the pack and share the road.

• Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water in advance and during the run, but not so much that you get hyponatremia.

• Don't hesitate to pause, stop or seek help from aid crews if you think you're experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion or other problems.