It’s been a long time since Jim Richardson was diagnosed with cancer, but he’s still helping raise funds to fight the disease. The 16th annual Big Jim Classic will be held in Hayfield Country Club Aug. 9 and this time there’s a new wrinkle to the event.

Besides having the regular golf tournament at the Oaks Golf Course, there will also be a 5K fun run/walk that will take place at 8 a.m. The run will take place on the golf course like a cross country race and costumes are encouraged.

This year’s Big Jim Classic is raising funds for Carter Simonson, a young boy who lives in Rochester. Simonson’s dad is from Grand Meadow.

Richardson said that the event helped raise money for a 64-unit facility by Mayo Clinic where cancer victims can stay for free and now it helps make improvements for area families.

“We decided to keep it more local,” Richardson said. “Now we pick out one or two families and we literally get our hands dirty. We take great pride in raising the funds and getting directly involved in the family that needs us.”

The event also includes a 4 Person Best golf shot in Hayfield with a 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. shotgun start.

The cost is $75 per person for 18 holes and a golf cart.

“Every year we do this one of the major fund raisers is the silent auction, so if anybody has a painting or basket they want to donate, it will go directly to the project,” Richardson said. “It’s a great day to spread the love.”

The Big Jim Classic began after Richardson was diagnosed with cancer in 1999.

For more information, visit mentalaerobics.com.