CUMBERLAND - The 17-year Labor Day tradition of the U.S. 10K Classic will continue on Monday, with more than 10,000 participants expected to compete in the annual race. The 6.2-mile run/walk has become an annual ritual for many professional athletes, weekend runners and fitness enthusiasts across Georgia and other states. It raises money for children's charities. Residents should prepare for road closures and delays.

The race begins at 7:45 a.m. in front of Cumberland Mall, travels northbound on Cobb Parkway and finishes at Six Flags White Water in Marietta. There are also wheelchair, inline skating and cycling races that start at 7:15 a.m.

At the finish line area at White Water, there will be an entertainment celebration with a free concert by Ocean Street band. Every participant and volunteer will also receive entry into White Water for $10 on Labor Day.

Late registration will be available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at a free Family Festival at Galleria Gardens on Galleria Parkway directly across from the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel near the Cobb Galleria Centre.

The Family Festival is a fitness, health, arts and entertainment expo. It will feature a kid's area, artists market, interactive displays, vendors and live entertainment. At 11 a.m. Saturday will be the Kids Classic Races. The event doubles as an opportunity for race participants to pick up their race packets and timing chips.

The race has grown significantly since its founding in 1994, at which time more than 3,400 people participated, said Smyrna businessman Don H. Whitney, U.S. 10K Classic founding president.

Today "we're the sixth largest 10,000-meter road race in the United States," Whitney said.

The purpose behind the U.S. 10K Classic and Family Festival is to raise awareness and funds for children's charities in Georgia and develop the World Children's Center.

"I started the race to bring awareness and funding to children in need and to build the World Children's Center," Whitney said. "It's one of the few sporting events where 100 percent of funding go back to children. This event in our community has raised over $5 million, that's been given away to 28 different charities in the community."

MUST Ministries, Feed My Lambs, Boy Scouts of America, and the March of Dimes are among the organizations that have received donations throughout the years from the U.S. 10K Classic, which functions as a nonprofit.

However, the World Children's Center is at the heart of the fundraising. It was founded by Whitney to provide short- and long-term housing to children who are homeless, orphaned or neglected. There are also education and leadership programs for children and adults. When the community is completed by 2018, it will house some 800 children in more than 100 homes in Haralson County.

Motorists in Cobb should expect road closures on Monday.

At 6:45 a.m. Monday, Cobb Parkway (U.S. Highway 41) will close from Akers Mill at Cumberland Mall and Cobb Galleria Centre, up north to White Water near North Marietta Parkway, race organizers said.

Roads will reopen in stages as participants pass each major intersection. Cobb Parkway is expected to fully reopen by 10:30 a.m. In addition, South Cobb Drive, Fairground Street and South Marietta Parkway (South Loop) will experience temporary delays due to the race's cycling competition. Motorists should use caution in these areas.

Participants driving to the event should use the Paces Ferry Road/Vinings exit on Interstate 285. Organizers recommend all participants arrive early to avoid traffic delays.

More than 15,000 parking spaces will be available in the Cumberland Mall parking lot. Race participants should plan to park at the start and ride the free shuttle buses back after the race.