Boston's Run to Remember, a road race through historic downtown Boston to honor fallen first responders, is seeking teams of police, fire, and any first responder departments from around the nation to compete in the half marathon at the May 29 event.

Boston' Run to Remember organizers on Monday announced the creation of the First Responder Challenge, where teams with a minimum of five runners from any first responder department in the U.S. compete in the half marathon for a chance to win bragging rights and be one of the three fastest departments to split a cash prize of $10,000 for the charity of their choice.

The challenge was formerly known as the Law Enforcement Challenge and was limited to police departments only.

"We decided this year to expand the program to include any first responders, including firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs, from across the country that want to form a team or multiple teams and take part," Race Director Steve Balfour said. "In past years, we've drawn police officers from Los Angeles, New York City, throughout New England and elsewhere to take on our many Boston-area departments. We are excited to be able to add firefighters and other emergency service providers to our race this year."

Any first responder department entering the challenge can have a team – regardless of skill level – as long as they have five or more runners. Departments can field multiple teams if they choose. All runners that are a part of the First Responder Challenge must be sworn, active officers, firefighters, or service personnel at the time of the race. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in the half marathon.

For more info on the challenge, please contact Brigit at BostonRuntoRemember@gmail.com

In addition, registration for the half marathon and 5-mile events at Boston's Run to Remember is ongoing at www.bostonsruntoremember.com. Organizers are urging runners to sign up soon as possible as the popular Memorial Day weekend event is already half full and also to take advantage of the Early Bird registration fee of $85.

The event's half marathon and 5-mile races, set for Sunday, May 29, start at the Seaport World Trade Center in downtown Boston. This is the 12th year for the annual charity event, created as a tribute to Massachusetts law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Boston's Run to Remember is produced by a handful of police officers, detectives, and their supporters who volunteer their time to create, organize, and manage the race. Proceeds benefit the community and children's programs of the police department running club.

Race organizers are planning for a field size of approximately 10,000. Last year, 9,438 runners crossed the finish line in the two races.

Both races feature scenic loop courses that start at the Seaport World Trade Center and wind through historic downtown Boston, with the half marathon crossing over the Charles River along Memorial Drive in Cambridge before looping back.

For additional information, find the race on Facebook or Twitter and visit the website at www.bostonsruntoremember.com. For those who cannot run this year but want to take part, donations may be made to Boston's Run to Remember and sent to P.O. Box 760670, Melrose, MA 02176.