Working at the Washington Army National Guard's armory in downtown Tacoma, Maj. Brian Nelson never has to go far to enjoy one of his favorite spots to go for a run.

Stadium High School's iconic Stadium Bowl is right down the street.

"I've been running the stairs there for the last couple years," said Nelson, the executive officer for the Guard's 341st Military Intelligence Battalion.

During a run one day earlier this year, Nelson had an epiphany.

"I thought it would be kind of cool to have a race in this bowl," he said. "I want to celebrate this place. Stadium Bowl is an icon."

So Nelson and his wife decided to organize the inaugural "Unleashed at Stadium Bowl," a race that serves as fundraiser to benefit rescue animals of the Kindred Souls Foundation.

The event is set for Aug. 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The couple created the Kindred Souls Foundation in 2005, which works to provide sanctuary to cats and dogs of all ages, a holistic approach to their care, and education on the rewards and responsibilities of animal companionship.

"This is an alignment of my two passions, running the stairs and Kindred Souls," said Nelson, a Lakewood resident. "We would like it to become an annual event."

The fundraiser is divided into three events: a pack run (made up of four-person teams), an individual race and an un-timed walk. Individual registration is $35, while a four-person team is $125. Nelson plans on organizing the pack race by squaring off teams of Servicemembers against first responders and pitting local gyms against each other - all in the name of healthy competition.

There are more than 1,600 steps in Stadium Bowl, and Nelson said everyone who participates will get one heck of a workout.

"The race will leave people with a good sense of accomplishment," the major said.

It will also give those a chance who haven't experienced a historic place where three U.S. presidents have given speeches to see it up close and personal.

"Especially for military members who live south of the base, a lot of them maybe haven't been exposed to Stadium Bowl," Nelson said.

Although organizing a large event like this for the first time has been a challenging task for the couple, Nelson said the end result will be worth all the hard work.

"Kindred Souls is a 100 percent volunteer organization and all of the funds raised will go toward helping animals," he said.

To register for the event, visit www.unleashedatstadiumbowl.org.