Area residents are invited to take part in the Big House Big Heart race to raise money for ALS research and other charitable causes on Sunday at the University of Michigan Stadium.

Participants can choose from a 10K race at 8 a.m., a 5K race at 9:10 a.m. or a 1-mile race at 10:30 a.m. Registration costs vary depending on the race and date of registration. A portion of all registration fees go to the U-M ALS research program, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, and the U-M Cardiovascular Center.

Mike Highfield, who created the event in 2007 with his wife Andrea Highfield, had a few reasons for starting the annual race. He said the event was to honor his former law partner, Philip J. Bowen, who died of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and also because "Ann Arbor is a big running community" and he and his wife saw a need for a community race.

The Ann Arbor man said having the Big House in town was all the more reason to create such an event — all three race courses take participants through the stadium tunnel to end on the 50-yard line.

"They will see themselves on the JumboTron finishing (the race)," said Andrea Highfield.

Mike Highfield said the event drew about 10,000 participants last year.

"We're hoping to top that this year," he said. "What really makes this event special, I think, is what we call the 'all charity component."

Highfield said non-profit organizations are invited to create their own teams and ask friends, family members and other supporters to pledge money for their cause.

Last year, about 127 non-profits were involved, raising about $500,000 collectively. This year, 140 are expected to participate.

Race participants who want to support a particular non-profit follow the same registration process and pay the same registration fees as all other participants.

Andrea Highfield said spectators are welcome at the races, and food vendors, mascots and live music will also be there. People with walkers, strollers or wheelchairs are welcome to join the races.

Register online until 5 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the NuStep Health and Wellness Expo at Pioneer High School, or at Gate 9 near the north entrance of the stadium beginning 6:30 a.m. Sunday.

Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.