Coordinators for the annual Run for the Roses fund-raiser are anticipating more runners this year than ever before. Mike Clayton, race director for the event, said there are currently 850 racers registered. He said some participants may also wait until the day of the race to register if the weather is nice, potentially adding another 100 to 150 runners. “[We’re] expecting over 1,000 runners altogether,” said Clayton, member of the Ames Area Running Club. Clayton said many family and friends come to watch the start and finish lines and then walk to the Ames Middle School for an omelet breakfast after the races. “[The breakfast is] kind of a nice thing,” he said. “It brings a lot of people back and is part of the appeal.” Meghan Ward, public relations chair for Alpha Omicron Pi, 2007 Greeley St., said members will be at the event “cheering on runners and making breakfast.” Clayton said the sorority’s co-sponsorship of the race began after they were contacted by an alumnus who was also a member of the Running Club. He said many people are supporters of the race since it is philanthropic, with about half of the Running Club members participating. Ward, junior in chemical engineering, said this is the 14th year Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and the Ames Area Running Club have co-sponsored the Run for the Roses, and last year they raised $7,000 for arthritis research grants. Blaire Bacher, sophomore in microbiology, said she picked up a flier about the run at the State Gym and is considering running the 5K for the first time “just to do it for charity.” Ward said there will be a registration and fee booth set up at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the race. She said the first race, a 5K run, will start at 9 a.m., followed by the Kids’ Fun Run and the 10K run. Ward said participants who finish will get a rose, and the top places will receive medals. Clayton said the 5K route starts at Knapp Street and Sheldon Avenue, then goes east to Ash Avenue and then to Mortensen Road. The route then makes a big loop to State Street, goes past Ames Middle School and returns to the beginning. He said the 10K runners run the route twice. The cost is $18 for early registration and $20 on race day. Ward said participants will also receive a free long-sleeved T-shirt along with the omelet breakfast and rose. Door prizes also will be given out at the breakfast. Early registration forms are available at the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority house or at the Lied Recreation Center. Participants can also pick up registration forms online at http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/aopi/run.html.