The Surgeon General of the United States will be on hand in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, August 28, for the 22nd annual Sullivan 5K Run/Walk Road Race for Health and Fitness. Regina M. Benjamin, M.D., will join former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., and E. Ginger Sullivan at the U.S. Track and Field Association certified 5K course.

“The Sullivan 5K is about being healthy and having fun doing it,” Dr. Benjamin said in a statement. “That goes to the heart of the Surgeon General’s vision for a fit and healthy America, and I’m happy to take part in this year’s event.”

“Ginger and I have enjoyed sponsoring the Sullivan 5K, since its beginnings in 1989,” says Dr. Sullivan. We are pleased this event for health and fitness also benefits the work of Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. This year, we are especially proud to have Morehouse School of Medicine graduate, Surgeon General Regina Benjamin join us.”

The popular Island outing has raised nearly $200,000 to benefit Martha’s Vineyard Hospital over its more than two decades.

The 2010 Sullivan 5K race course will take runners and walkers around East Chop overlooking Vineyard Sound. A 0.25 mile kids-only event is included in the morning’s festivities.

Preregistration is Friday, August 27, from 3 to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the new hospital. The cost is $15 for adults, $5 for the kids’s fun run (10 and under). Numbers will be distributed at this time.

Race day registration is Saturday, August 28 ($20 for adult numbers, $5 for kids), from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in Washington Park (opposite Our Market).

Registration forms may be downloaded ahead of time online at mvhospital.com/runwalk.

Free T-shirts will be distributed to the first 300 registered participants. (Shirt sizes are on a first-come, first-served basis).

For additional information, please contact Rachel Vanderhoop or Erin Tilton at 508-693-4645, Fax: 508-693-6291.