BATH — Nearly 100 years ago, a community high school was born, and it quickly became the center of the town of Bath.

Since the school’s closing in 1989 and threatened demolition in 2005, Bath High School alumni have sought to keep its history alive.

For years, the Bath High School Preservation group has hosted fundraising events to fund the restoration of its beloved school. The old cafeteria was converted into a space for the Bath Community Library. An old hallway was restored for use as a gallery, and the adjoining girls’ bathroom is set to become a catering kitchen.

One of BHSP’s largest fundraisers of the year is the 5K Pirate Run/Walk — this year, the fourth-annual event is slated for Saturday.

“It is one of the bigger fundraisers that they do, and it’s also become important, I think, to the runners. We have so many participants, and they really enjoy it,” race director Yvonne Waters said. “The youngest one I’ve seen so far is 10 and the oldest, 70.”

Waters, with the help of Bath resident Claudia Alligood, has headed up the Pirate Run/Walk for the past couple of years. In previous years, it was Waters’ sister who organized the race before the event took a hiatus in 2015.

Waters said the race usually draws an average of 90 people each year. Some are Pirate Run regulars, while others are newcomers.

“We seem to be hitting about the average that we hit every year,” Waters said. “We usually pick up a lot on the day of.”

The race’s course is mostly flat and begins at Bath Elementary School. It then heads east along Craven Street, to Carteret Street and Springdale Village. Runners will then move south down Main Street to Bonner Point before turning northward on King Street, west along Craven and then to Harding Street. The course ends by wrapping back around to King Street and Bath Elementary.

Waters said Saturday’s race is mostly the same as in years past. Preserving Bath High School’s history is still the driving force behind the 5K. It’s what rallies people together.

As Waters puts it: “It takes a village.”

Registration is $28 for adults, $22.75 for children 12 and under and $19.50 for high school track members. Awards will be given to the top three male and female runners in each age group, and prizes given for the Run for the Booty contest and Dress Like A Pirate contest.

The 5K Pirate Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday at 9 a.m. at Bath Elementary School. For more information, visit www.bhsp5k.com.