BREMERTON — Time to lace up your running shoes and head to the Bremerton boardwalk, because the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s steps off this weekend.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s Association care, support and research programs. The walk, including both a one- and two-mile option, begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 18 at the Louis Mentor Bremerton Boardwalk, after a ceremony starting at 9 a.m.

“It’s great for anyone with any type of mobility,” said Becca Verda, communications and marketing manager for the Alzheimer’s Association.

A couple hundred people have already registered to walk on Sunday, but Verda said they expect “quite a few walk-ins” day of. Registration is free, she said, and anyone who raises at least $100 for the organization gets a free purple T-shirt. Day-of registration begins at 8 a.m.

“The money that we raise at the walk goes towards care, support and research,” Verda said.

This year’s fundraising goal is $88,000. Last year, the Bremerton walk raised $64,678. Nationwide, more than $77 million was raised.

“The walk is our largest event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” Verda said.

Verda said that the walk in Bremerton has been held for about 20 years now, but the Washington Alzheimer’s Association, one of the founding chapters of the national organization, has had a presence in Washington for 30 years.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest funder of private Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia research in the world.

“When you go to an event in your community and you see hundreds of other people who can relate to your experience,” Verda said, “it’s a very powerful emotional experience.”

For more information or to pre-register for the walk, visit the Bremerton Walk to End Alzheimer’s page at goo.gl/fRZWdA.