If you’re driving between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay Saturday morning, watch for runners on the road.

About 1,000 people are expected to participate in the 15th annual 8 Tuff Miles race that runs 8.38 miles from the V.I. National Park Ballfield along Centerline Road to the Coral Bay Ballfield.

“It’s one of St. John’s greatest spectator events,” said race organizing committee member Jeff Miller.

He called it a great community event that doesn’t happen without the help of a huge number of volunteers.

The money raised through entrance fees, sponsorships and other means goes toward a scholarship fund for youthful runners.

“It’s really a tremendous program,” Miller said.

He said several youthful participants accumulated money over the course of several 8 Tuff Miles races to put toward their college expenses.

Last year 899 people crossed the finish line. In 2010, Thomas Chorny of Bloomington, Ind., won the race and set a course record for men with a time of 46 minutes and 26 seconds. Letitia Dusich of St. Croix sent the course record for women in 2004 with a time of 57:15 seconds.

In 2010, Ruth Ann David of St. Thomas won for the women with a time of 58:03.

Participants are expected from across the Virgin Islands and around the country. Miller said that a contingent from a Cincinnati running store will again attend. He also expects several-time winner Jeremy Zuber, who has returned to St. John, to participate.

It’s too late to enter the race because participation is capped at 1,000 people.

“It filled up in January,” Miller said.

The race kicks off at 7:15 a.m. The fastest finishers will be in Coral Bay within the hour, but the entire race takes several hours to complete.

Miller discouraged unregistered runners, called bandits, from participating. He said they won’t be allowed near the finish line at the Coral Bay ballfield. Additionally, the water stations spaced along the route are set up for the number of participants who registered.

“And it’s not fair to the people who did [register],” Miller said.

Participants traveling from St. Thomas on the morning of the race should catch a Varlack Ventures boat making a special trip for racers. It leaves Red Hook at 6:15 a.m. Tickets are $6 each. The ferry will arrive at the park’s Visitors Center dock, which is near the starting line.

Parking in Cruz Bay is very limited, so participants are encouraged to use the ferry rather than bring their cars on the barge.

There is no transportation from Coral Bay back to Cruz Bay, but the VITRAN bus runs this route. Additionally, hitchhiking is common during the day on St. John.

Bibs can be picked up between 6 and 7 a.m. the morning of the race or from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Tap Room in Mongoose Junction Shopping Center. There is no bib pickup on Friday.

The awards ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. in Mongoose Junction shopping center.