The third annual Ghost & Goblin 5K was held at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport on Oct. 25. The race, which raised funds for the Christ & Holy Trinity Church preschool’s tuition assistance and enrichment programs, was open to all ages and levels of experience; in addition to the 5K loop, there was also a fun run for children to participate in.

Maura Cotter, an organizer of the event, said this year’s race turned out well.

“This year is wonderful. The weather is fantastic, a lot of people [are] coming out: kids, parents, families. It’s a wonderful event,” she said.

The race brought out 193 runners to the 5K as well as 75 participants in the quarter mile and fun run.

Kimmie Gladitsch ’15 attended the event and was attracted to the fundraising aspect.

“I loved the event and seeing people running in their Halloween costumes, but I also think it’s great that the funds are helping kids in the preschool,” she said.

The race originated as a way to reach out to the community, Cotter explained.

“We decided that as a preschool community and a church we wanted to branch out and get some local people involved and so, three years ago, my husband and I and a couple of other people started working out how to get a 5K going,” she said.

Westport businesses like Garelick & Herbs, Athletic Shoe Factory and Saugatuck Sweets joined in to sponsor the event. Runners enjoyed foods from other sponsors, such as Qdoba and Neat, who set up tables at the event. The race concluded with refreshments as well as an awards ceremony for winners and participants in the fun run.

One 5K runner, Lisa Berlin, explained that she had not trained formally, but had run weekly prior to the race.

“I’d done this race a couple years ago, so I’m just a repeat person coming with a group of friends who thought it’d be fun,” Berlin said.

Jane Leshem, another regular runner who also ran in the 5K, joined the race on a whim.

“I heard about it last evening with my friends and I thought it was for a great cause and a beautiful location and I was excited to join,”she said.

Cotter praised the event’s overall success.

“It’s been really successful, huge fundraising…and it’s really great,” she said.