The event is not a fundraiser, just a fun event, Recreation Supervisor Eric Armstrong said. He said the run was meant to be a fun way for families and friends to get some exercise together, “but having a ridiculous crazy time while doing it.”

The course and participants will be lit up with hundreds of neon glow sticks, bracelets, necklaces and dozens of other creative glow products, an announcement for the event said.

The department staff was searching for bright ideas for something different in 5K run events and wanted to find one that would be a good fit for Ocean Pines, Armstrong said, “and this one caught our eyes.”

“We also knew we could do it with the resources we already had,” he said.

What will make the Neon Fun Run different from other 5Ks is the start time and the illuminated running course.

The music and festivities portion of the event will start at 7:30 p.m.  The race will start at 9 p.m. (or when it gets dark in the park) at 239 Ocean Parkway.

The park will be awash with more black lights and dance music than a college dorm room on a Saturday night. “Basically it’s a party, but we’re running,” Armstrong said.

A deejay will be on hand to play the newest and most exciting club hits, the announcement said.

Runners and walkers are encouraged to transform themselves into beings of light and color. “The runners will be the lighting” for the after-dark activities, Armstrong said.

There will be prizes for the best outfit and the most creative use of the glowing embellishments provided. Prizes will also be awarded to teams that glow the brightest.

The cost for runners is $25 each, or $30 on the day of the race. The cost for a team of four runners is $20 per person up to the start of the race.

Runners can stay for the afterglow party once they finish the dark course.