<em>Photo above: Racers get ready to start the 2016 Annual Beaufort Twilight Run. Photo provided.</em>
<h3>Staff reports</h3>
The 9th Annual Beaufort Twilight Run (BTR) is welcoming three top marathoners to this year’s race presented by Habersham Properties from 4-9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 18, in Habersham Marketplace.

Along with the more than 2,600 participants and spectators across 20 states anticipated, the BTR will host running professionals from Zap Fitness-Reebok – including one of America's top 5 marathoners, Tyler Pennel. &nbsp;

Pennel will be accompanied by teammates Pardon Ndhlovu, who recently ran in the Rio Olympic Marathon for Zimbabwe, and Nicole Dimercurio, who is a University of Georgia graduate quickly building her professional running career running in the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials. All three runners will be in town to compete in the BTR’s 10-mile race.&nbsp;

“The BTR keeps growing and has now captured the attention of world-class athletes,” said BTR Race Director Lauren Kelly. “This race is scenic, fast and easy to follow and there is something for everyone – from families walking the 5K to local running clubs competing to athletes trying to break state records to world-class marathoners training at our race. It’s a true running festival.”&nbsp;

The USATF-sanctioned running festival is Chronotrack timed by RMS Sports and offers more race options than any other event in the Lowcountry – drawing competitive runners and recreational participants.&nbsp;

The BTR offers events for runners and walkers at all levels including a signature 13.1 Mile Beaufort Challenge (10 mile plus 5K runs); 10-mile run; 8K-run; 5K run/walk; 1 mile youth run; and Kids’ Fun Run. The BTR is one of three events in South Carolina offering a 10 miler. &nbsp;

All race courses are spectator-friendly and flat, offering beautiful marsh views while racing beneath canopies of live oaks.&nbsp; &nbsp;

“There’s something for everyone at the Beaufort Twilight Run,” said BTR Event Director Jeff Althoff. “The race will be awesome and the post-race party will have great live entertainment and, back by popular demand, a wide variety of food trucks for everyone to enjoy.” &nbsp;

This family-friendly event is a draw not only for participants in the six races, but for spectators who are looking for an evening with live music and great food.&nbsp;

This year the BTR welcomes back the band Broke Locals who are from Beaufort and specialize in “Southern Fried Funk.” Throughout the afternoon and evening, a variety of delicious food and beverage options will be available from gourmet food trucks and from the Habersham Marketplace restaurants.&nbsp;

The BTR’s total cash purse is more than $6,000 with payouts to be awarded in the 13.1 Mile Beaufort Challenge, 10-mile run, 8K run and 5K run.&nbsp;

Categories include the three overall male and female winners of each of those races, as well as for the top male and female Masters (40+), Active Duty Military and Hometown Hero (a Beaufort County resident). In addition to cash prizes, age group winners will receive a gift for their accomplishment.&nbsp;

For online details about race registration and more, visit www.BeaufortTwilightRun.com. &nbsp;

Early registration discounts are available for all participants, as well as additional discounts for students, groups of 10 or more and active duty military.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The BTR’s mission is to host a fun, competitive and memorable annual event for Beaufort. In the past seven years, the BTR has raised more than $400,000 to benefit Riverview Charter School – a free public school open to Beaufort County K-8th grade students. This year’s goal is to raise more than $80,000 to be used for the school’s technology, after-school and physical education programs.&nbsp;