TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy) will sponsor its fourth annual "Run for the Roses" 5K race on Saturday, March 3. The event is certified by the Tuscaloosa Track Club as a Grand Prix race.

Project R.O.S.E., headquartered at The University of Alabama, is an environmental education and public outreach program for recycling used motor oil.

Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Bevill Building (Amphitheater side) on the UA campus. The race, which is open to competitors of all ages, will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be followed by a light breakfast and refreshments. The awards ceremony will follow immediately. Door prizes will also be given away at this time.

The entrance fee is $12 before Feb. 26 and $15 the day of the race.

Proceeds from "Run for the Roses" will be used to purchase used motor oil collection tanks that will be placed in rural areas of the state. The proceeds will also fund new public education programs and materials for Project R.O.S.E.

Corporate sponsors for the race include WTUG, Arrow 101.7, TIDE Radio, PARADE Gas Stations, Tuscaloosa Chevrolet, Chevron (A&M Oil), Waste Recycling, Waste Oil Collectors, McClean Fuels, Townsend Ford, Speedy Oil Change and Leigh Buick.

Project R.O.S.E. has served Alabama since 1977. The program is located in the UA chemical engineering department. Project R.O.S.E. is responsible for providing public education for the do-it-yourself oil changer and establishing used motor oil collection locations. More than 300 collection locations are available at quick-lube facilities, automobile supply stores, automobile dealerships and service stations.

For more information about Project R.O.S.E. or to pre-register for the race, call 205/348-4878 or (in state) 1-800-452-5901.