KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | Shayann Droege practices her waiter run at The Market in Greenport.

There will be more than just bragging rights on the line when local waiters will race against each other through downtown Greenport on Sunday, April 15, in this year’s Great Waiter Race.

The Market health food store and cafe on Front Street is hosting the benefit in conjunction with its 25th anniversary. Proceeds will go toward health and wellness programs at Eastern Long Island Hospital.

“As the owner of a health food market since 1987, I believe we can all be our ‘best’ through good nutrition and regular exercise,” Market owner Shelley Scoggin said. “I invite everyone to get involved just for the ‘health’ of it.”

Portions of Front and Main streets will be closed from 10 to 11 a.m., when local waiters will race each other while balancing trays with a stemmed glass containing BodyArmor beverages, a natural energy drink, a co-sponsor with The Market.

The race will start at the ELIH Opportunity Shop on the north side of the Adams Street parking lot, head down to the turnaround by Claudio’s Restaurant on lower Main Street, back up to Front Street and end in front of the Market, a distance of perhaps a third of a mile.

The first Great Waiter Race originated in Paris in 1905, the year of ELIH’s founding.

Peter Clarke, the owner of Clarke’s Garden and president of the village Business Improvement District, will give the “ready, set, go” at the start, and Mayor David Nyce and ELIH president and CEO Paul Connor will serve as finish line judges.

“It should be fun,” said Ms. Scoggin. “We’re doing this to celebrate our 25th year in business and to give back to the community.”

The deadline to enter is April 14 at 5 p.m. Participants must pay a $50 entry fee. For more information, call 477-8803.

jennifer@timesreview.com