Warm hearts can brave the cold Sunday for a good cause.

In its 21st year, the Challenged Child and Friends 5K Run and One Mile Fun Run/Walk will set out to raise funds for the nonprofit this weekend at Riverside Military Academy at 2001 Riverside Drive in Gainesville.

In years past, the event has drawn more than 1,300 runners and had more than 20 sponsors from the local community.

Challenged Child and Friends is a nonprofit center for the education of children with special needs. It has several different programs that use an integrated system where special needs children grow and learn alongside their typically developing peers.

The center helps children with a variety of challenges and developmental delays and offers them individualized attention and instruction. Every child and their families are welcomed.

The race helps to fund scholarships for the children who attend the school.

The racing begins with a one-mile "fun run" followed by the main event, a 5-kilometer run on Riverside Drive.

Not everyone who participates has to run the entire 5 kilometers. Many can just walk the distance or even bring along children in strollers to support Challenged Child and Friends.

Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the cost is $30. The one mile race starts at 2 p.m. and the 5K at 2:30 p.m. For those who are serious runners, this event is also a Peachtree Road Race qualifier.

Finish line management will be handled by Runners Fit with complete results online within 24 hours at www.runnersfit.com. Racers can also register at active.com. For more information, call 770-535-8372.