The World’s Hoppiest Road Race will hold its first ever night race in the city of Alpharetta this Saturday. Building on the success of two previous events in Milton, this is more than just a 5K footrace.

The new event called, “Summer Break 2012, Block Party and 5K,” provides a unique spin to a traditional 5K race by promoting a bigger social event bringing together friends, families and the community to benefit Canine Assistants.

“We’re really excited to be doing this in Alpharetta,” said Bob Marinich, CEO and founder of World’s Hoppiest Road Race.

Marinich said the race is able to take place in Alpharetta this summer because of an ordinance the city passed last August allowing for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcohol downtown.

“I applaud the city government for making a really progressive change,” he said. “The city of Alpharetta has been really easy to work with. I think they want to create a great community.”

When the event began in Milton two years ago, Marinich was looking for a new way to raise money for Canine Assistants, an organization he’s donated to for years.

“There wasn’t really a good beer run around here, so we thought, we like beer, we like running, we like dogs, we like music — let’s bring them all together,” he said.

Canine Assistants, located in Milton, provides helper dogs to people with special needs locally, regionally and around the country.

The downtown course, a certified Peachtree Road Race qualifier, is a runner-friendly course with a prime starting and stopping point right in downtown Alpharetta.

The flat and fast course winds through the neighborhood streets and businesses and will set the atmosphere for a festive evening race and block party that includes a live band, food, a free beer to every runner and prizes.

On-site registration, which is $35, begins at 7 p.m., and the 5K begins at 9 p.m. at the corner of Milton Avenue and Canton Street. At 10 p.m., an awards presentation will take place. During this time and until 11:30 p.m., a party will take place where live band Bad House Tears will be and food and drinks will be available.

Parking is available at Alpharetta First Baptist, United Methodist Alpharetta and Independence High School.

To register in advance for $30, visit www.active.com or contact bob@myEZreg.com or (404) 630-5109.

Sponsors include 52 Bistro, Red Hare Brewery, United BMW, the Alpharetta Business Association, Gallery 35, Alpharetta Outfitters and many more.

The Milton event will still take place in the fall, as it has in previous years.