Folks from different parts of the country will come and participate in the 17th annual Alligator Trot 5K road race and walk this Sat., June 23, said race director Karen Johnson said.

“One thing I love the most about the race is finding out where people are from,” Johnson said. “We already have a couple from Texas, who are participating in the race that is celebrating their anniversary with a beach trip around the trot.

“People come from Tennessee, Indianapolis,” she said. “It’s amazing how far they come.”

The trot is the only 5K running in two states — Alabama and Florida — in conjunction with the 142nd Masonic Celebration.

The race starts at 8 a.m., and will take place at Florala State Park, which is an asphalt course certified by the USA Track and Field.

Johnson said the certification is “new” and that runners who want to qualify for bigger races can now do so by participating in the 5K.

“People are getting excited that this is starting,” she said.

Johnson said she had 242 folks sign up to participate in the race last year, and if the number of registrants almost tops 200, then “that would be great.”

“Two-hundred-and-forty-two is going to be hard to beat,” she said.

Johnson said it’s not too late to get a race T-shirt, and interested registrants need to register by going to www.active.com, or downloading the race application from www.alligatortrot.com.

Registrants participating in the race need to register as a runner or walker.

Pre-registration fee is $15, and race day registration is $20.