ON THE GO — More than 400 area residents walked or ran in the Pat Campbell Fighting Cancer 5K last year, raising more than $23,000 for local cancer patients. The Toronto race will return on March 14. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — Area residents who have felt cooped up this winter will have an opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise while helping fellow citizens battling cancer by participating in the Pat Campbell Fighting Cancer 5K.

In its 16th year, the race will be held March 14 in honor of the late William Pat Campbell, a local attorney who battled Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma before succumbing to a heart attack in 2009.

Campbell was quite proud of his Irish heritage so the race’s organizers have held it close to St. Patrick’s Day, which also was his birthday.

It’s the fourth year it’s been held by members of Crossroads North River Church.

The run will start near the church at 10:30 a.m. and continue to the south end of Toronto and back.

It will be followed by a fun walk at 10:31 a.m.

“We’ve been very happy with the success of the race,” said Galen Wade, who directs the race with his wife, Tambi.

Wade noted the event has raised more than $273,000 for local cancer patients since 2010.

Last year, its organizers established the Ohio Valley Fighting Cancer Fund, a nonprofit charity, to expand the event’s impact to cancer patients within 50 miles of Mingo Junction.

Those who register before March 13 will pay $25, while those who register on the day of the race, at 8 a.m., will pay $35.

Wade said nearly $2,000 has been raised each year through the Irish Blessings Drawing, a series of drawings for assorted gift cards, gift baskets and other prizes donated by local businesses, organizations and residents.

Anyone attending the race is welcome to purchase chances for the drawings.

Members of the church will be serving hot dogs and other free food.

Awards will go to the top three male and female overall finishers in the professionally timed race and to the top three male and female finishers in each of eight age groups.

All participants 12 and under will receive a medal.

And for the third year, those who participate in all four charity runs held in the Gem City this year will receive a medal noting their completion of the Quadfecta Challenge.

The name has been applied to the following four Toronto races: The Pat Campbell Fighting Cancer 5K, the Biasi-Shuma 5K Run Walk, which is held in July and benefits the Ohio Valley Heart Association and Jefferson County United Way; the Louann Burchfield/Kathy Hannan Hale Colors of Cancer Memorial 5K, which is held in August and also supports cancer patients; and the T-Town Turkey Trot, which is held early Thanksgiving Day and benefits the Helping Hands Food Pantry.

Wade said he and others behind the Pat Campbell Run are happy to help promote the others.

“It’s all about the community, and we just want to increase awareness of the other runs,” he said.

In keeping with the run’s holiday theme, participants are encouraged to wear green or kilts.

There will be an appropriate backdrop for selfies, with some surprises in the works.

“It will definitely be a memorable experience for everybody attending,” said Wade.

Wade said there also will be some sadness, as he and others will be remembering the late Patricia Campbell, wife of Pat Campbell — and a strong supporter of the event with their son, David — who died on Feb. 14.

In addition to supporting her husband, who was active in various organizations, Patricia served as assistant to Toronto Superintendent of Schools Delton Metzger for 13 years, ran the Campbell Hinkle Insurance Agency for many years and was an active member of Empire Community Church, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir.