Nearly 300 runners filled Hawk Island Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, many dressed in Halloween costumes for the sixth annual Miles for Mentorship 5K and Spooky Sprint.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region hosted the chip-timed race and a free kids' sprint at the Red Tail shelter in the 100-acre south Lansing park. Proceeds support the organization's one-to-one youth mentoring matches across the Capital Region, as WILX reported.

The Red Tail shelter at Hawk Island County Park, located at 1601 E. Cavanaugh Road between Pennsylvania Avenue and Aurelius Road, can hold up to 375 people.

Megyn Forest, executive director and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region, told WILX the event serves a dual purpose.

"Not only does it raise funds for nonprofits who are youth serving and give back to the community, but it's a really great way for community members to get together as well," Forest said.

The nonprofit serves Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Ionia and Shiawassee counties, according to its programs page. Its community-based mentoring program pairs an adult volunteer with a young person for at least 12 months, with matches meeting two to four times per month. A separate site-based program sends mentors into schools once a week during the school year for 30- to 45-minute sessions.

People interested in volunteering as mentors or learning more about the organization can visit Big Brothers Big Sisters Michigan Capital Region.