The new Statesboro chapter of AMBUCS, a national service organization whose mission is creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities, is sponsoring a 5K race on Saturday at Mill Creek Regional Park.

The race begins at 8 a.m., followed by bike day at 10.

All proceeds from the race go toward funding adaptive and therapeutic tricycles, known as AmTrykes, to those who cannot ride a traditional bicycle. In December, 7-year-old Jason Michael Carpenter, who walks with the assistance of leg braces and a walker and has a rare disease that affects his muscular system, was surprised with an AmTryke of his own at The Therapy SPOT, donated by the Savannah Chapter of AMBUCS.

“Since he received his bike, he wants to be on it all the time,” said Christie Carpenter, Jason Michael’s mother. “He loves being able to have his independence and actually doing something by himself.  We’ve been to the park to let him ride, and we have to run to keep up with him. We are so thankful he was blessed with such an amazing gift.”

The Trek for Trykes event is the brainchild of The Therapy SPOT and is sponsored in part by Swim.Bike.Run Statesboro. Swim.Bike.Run assembled Jason Michael’s bike and has volunteered to assemble all of the AmTrykes donated by AMBUCS in Bulloch County.

The race kicks off with two recent bike recipients leading the way. Starting at 10, children and adults can get measured and fitted by trained therapists to determine the appropriate fit and model of AmTryke for their needs. That information will be kept, and those individuals will be placed on a waiting list for possible future bike giveaways. Three AmTrykes will be given away Saturday.

Runners can register at Active.com, Swim.Bike.Run Statesboro and The Therapy SPOT. For more information about the race, becoming a fundraiser for additional bikes or participating in local AMBUCS meetings, call The Therapy SPOT at (912) 681-7768.