Organizers are calling this weekend's ConnectAbility 5K-10K run-walk event a "race with a reason."

The race will begin at 7 a.m. Sept. 24 at Hancock Park, which is located at the intersection of North Park and Warwick streets in downtown Dahlonega. It will benefit special-needs programming in North Georgia through Connectability, a nonprofit that provides services to children and adults with disabilities.

"This is the first time we've held the race, but we'd like it to become an annual event," said Katie McElliot, race director.

"We need to raise funds because so many great projects for ConnectAbility have taken off this year and we want to keep the support for them going."

Among other things, ConnectAbility provides parent share and support groups, organizes the Special Olympics delegations for Dawson and Lumpkin counties and hosts a free, monthly respite program for special-needs clients.

The registration fee is $5 for the fun run, $28 for the 5K and $38 for the 10K. Organizers are welcoming runners, walkers, wheelchair participants and runners who would like to push the wheelchair racers.