The popular Fort Benning Oktoberfest 10K Cross Country Challenge is the highlight of the annual Oktoberfest Celebration, and with a name like that, I should get a t-shirt just for being able to say it. Let's call it the Ok10k.

And let's call it what it is, the single most popular race on Fort Benning. It's a fun course, but tough, with a rugged dirt and clay route that winds deeply into the woods around Uchee Creek, up hills and down, one right after the other. There's a good reason they award medals the size of a small car, which is entirely appropriate, because Kia Autosport faithfully sponsors this event every year to make it possible for us to offer participants a challenging event that just gets better and better.

The Ok10k starts at 9am Oct. 20 and kicks off day two of the annual Oktoberfest Celebration, Oct. 19-21 at the Uchee Creek Activity Center. The festival includes authentic German music and food, games, rides and competitions for all ages, a petting zoo, a Ferris wheel and so much more.

This year, we also offer a 5K Family Fun Run, which is a bit more accommodating (for young runners or new runners or runners with an Oktoberfest hangover) and a free Volksmarch, which is stroller friendly and fun for the whole family.

Register for the Ok10k and 5k by Oct. 18 at Smith Fitness Center or online at active.com. The 10K is $30; the 5K is $10. The Volksmarch is free, and registration is not required.

Registration on site on race day increases by $10 for each race.  The race starts at 9am, registration at 7am. You'll find more information about these races and the three-day Oktoberfest Celebration at benning.armymwr.com.