Taylor Copeland loves running.

The Straughn Middle School sixth grader will be taking his “entertaining” hobby to the street on Saturday morning as he participates in PowerSouth’s 2014 Resolution 5K Run/Walk.

This 5K is extra special for Copeland because he is running in honor of his mom, Christy, who died last September of a form of skin cancer.

It was about two or three weeks ago when Copeland said he decided to run in the race.

“Mrs. Wanda (Woods) came on down to the daycare and asked if I’d like to run in it,” he said.

Copeland’s grandmother, Marilyn Williams, chimed in and said that Woods was just letting those at the daycare know about the race.

“When I told Taylor about it, he said he’d like to run,” Williams said.

Copeland said he’s been training to get ready for Saturday’s benefit event.

At his home, which is just off of Brooklyn Road in Andalusia, Copeland said he runs laps around his property.

“I start from the garage, and go down to the lodge and circle through the woods and come back,” he said with a smile.

Race day check in for already registered runners and walkers is from 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Copeland said the number he’ll be wearing is one he specially selected for the 5K.

“I want to run with No. 36 because that’s how old she was when she died,” he said.

The 12 year old said he thinks this will be a good race for him, and joked that he might “pass out.”

“I like running, but I don’t think I’ve ever run this long of a race,” Copeland said.

A 5K race is 3.1 miles long.

Fortunately, Copeland said he ran in a 5K in Montgomery off road.

When he’s not running, Copeland likes mud riding, football and hanging out with friends.

Speaking of friends, Copeland said good friend, Hudson Dean, will be participating in the race in an unusual way.

“He’s got a basketball with all of the people’s names who have died of cancer written on it,” Copeland said. “(Dean’s) going to dribble the ball in the race.”

Taylor is the son of Drexel Copeland, and the late Christy Copeland of Andalusia.