The CHQ Trailblazer Challenge 5K is an obstacle course race set for the beginning of October. Submitted photo

CHAUTAUQUA — A unique 5K race from Chautauqua Institution is set to offer not only obstacles, but a sense of community as well.

The CHQ Trailblazer Challenge will begin at 4731 West Lake Road at 10 a.m. Saturday. Nate Hammond, race director and recreational facilities coordinator for Chautauqua Institution, Nate Hammond, said the race is a spin on what was done last year.

“We always wanted to have a mud run here at the Institution, so last year we had the CHQ Mud Run 5K,” Hammond said. “After seeing the registration numbers last year we decided that was maybe too niche of a 5K to do, so we switched it this year to the Trailblazer Challenge, which is a 5K that includes obstacles.”

Additionally, Hammond said everyone who participated last year had memories and thoughts to share, also helping each other with some of the obstacles in last year’s 5K. He said that for this year people should expect to find and come away with a sense of community.

“This is not a serious race,” Hammond said. “It’s all for fun. People can expect to find a sense of community, and there are also some fun prizes.”

Hammond said this race is one-of-a-kind but is similar to Holiday Valley’s Mud Race. He encouraged the local community to come out and have a good time, adding that the point of the race is to get the community involved during the off season of the Institution.

Registration is required for the race, and can be found at runsignup.com/chqtrailblazerchallenge-signup. There is also a Squirrel Scramble race for children ages five through 12, that can also be registered for on the same site and begins at 9:30 a.m. that day. Anyone who registers before Sept 30 will get a commemorative t-shirt. Post-race refreshments and the awards ceremony will be afterwards at the Chautauqua Golf Course.