Runners and dog lovers are welcome to bring their best shoes and furry companions to Driver this weekend to help the Suffolk Humane Society.

Boy Scouts of America Troop 256 of Portsmouth will hold the “Sweat for Pets 5K Run & Fun Walk” this Saturday at the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trailhead in Driver. The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. and the half-mile fun walk at 8:30 a.m.

Bill Eley, a 16-year-old Isle of Wight Academy sophomore and Troop 256 life scout, pitched the event for his Eagle Scout project. Runners in the 5K will go down the trail and back to the starting line in Driver. There will be first-, second- and third-place trophies for both men and women.

“Scouts will be stationed along the way to pass out water, time people and give first aid,” Bill said in a phone interview.

Dogs and other pets are allowed to join the half-mile fun walk, and the entry fee for participants will be donations of dog and cat food for the Suffolk Humane Society.

“Not everybody runs, but (Bill) thought he could get a larger response if he allowed pets to come out and walk,” said Assistant Scout Master and Bill’s father, Russell Eley, in a phone interview. “Whether you run or not, it gives you an opportunity to participate and support.”

Eagle Scout is the highest achievement attainable in the Boy Scouts of America, which very few achieve. The project is the biggest part of that pursuit, Eley said.

“It gives them opportunities for leadership, which is the most important part,” he said.

Pet owners will be required to clean up after their pets. Beech Grove United Methodist Church on Driver Lane will provide space for parking.

Email sweatforpetsrun@outlook.com for a registration link and event updates. Call 266-6240 for more information.