A friend of mine sent me the following email about an upcoming race in Portland, so if you are looking for a relatively flat 5k where you can run a fast time and peek out over the Western Promenade, this is the one:

The second annual Reiche International 5K road race – celebrating the more than 30 nationalities that attend the Howard C. Reiche Community School in Portland’s West End – will start at the school on Sunday, Oct 18th at 9:30. There are slots available for both racers and volunteers.

Last year’s race, won by top male and female competitors Scott Gorneau, 37 of South Portland (15:56), and Lauren Fecteau, 17 of Portland (17:55), drew more than 160 runners. That was an impressive roster for a first-year race, and this year, the race is on track to reach a goal of 250 runners.

This community event celebrates Maine’s most ethnically diverse school and its amazing student body that, at last count, came from 32 different nations.

The race starts at Reiche Elementary Schoot at 166 Brackett Street on Portland’s West End. The well-marked single-loop course begins on Brackett Street and continues through the streets of the West End including Chadwick, Neal, Pine and Spring Streets. It includes one climb — behind the Western Prom Cemetery. Otherwise it’s fast and flat.

In honor of the upcoming Halloween holiday, participants are invited to wear a costume (by no means mandatory). Walkers are welcome as well.

Games, music and a giant yard sale are planned as part of the post-race festivities. The race is being organized by the Reiche PTO, and proceeds will fund Adventures Thursdays—a program to boost student physical activity through use of the Reiche pool or the outdoors.

If you are interested in running or volunteering, you can get all of the details at the race website: www.ReicheInternational.com