"This is a really fun, family-friendly event to come together and have a fun morning before your Thanksgiving festivities," said Grace Wells, describing the sixth annual Great Turkey Chase. The run/walk 5K and kids' run will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23, at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church, 996 E. High St. Registration will begin at 6:45 a.m., and the 5K will step off at 8:15 a.m. The kids' run will begin at 9:15 a.m.

"We are going to have stuffed turkeys along the route, and participants can look for them," Wells stated. "If they find one, they'll bring it back to the finish line, and we will give them a frozen turkey to take home with them."

Prizes will be awarded in various age groups, including age 14 and under and ages 15 to 19, and then in 10-year groups up to age 80-plus. "We've had one or two over-80 participants in the past, and we have one who comes every year," Wells noted.

She started the kids' run at last year's event and has made some tweaks to this year's logistics. "There's going to be a small route in the parking lot for the youngest who want to participate," she said, noting that it will include a loop that is approximately one-tenth of a mile. "Other kids can participate in the quarter-mile loop on the grass and pavement, and they can complete the loop up to four times."

The kids' run will be sponsored by The Tatted Toy Guys in Elizabethtown, which will distribute prizes to participants.

The Great Turkey Chase has grown each year, Wells said, adding that close to 300 people participated last year.

She is partnering with the Elizabethtown Community Housing & Outreach Services (ECHOS) for the event, with proceeds from sponsorship money and registration fees as well as 100% of donations benefiting the organization.

A variety of sponsors help to make the race possible, she said, noting that the major sponsors are Dustin Nagy Excavating, R&T Mechanical and DDMP Investment Advisors.

"We really want this to be a community event, and we hope people will come and get some exercise in prior to their Thanksgiving meal," Wells said. "It always makes you feel good to have done something active before you sit down to eat."

For more information on the Great Turkey Chase or to register, visit https://runsignup.com and search for "Great Turkey Chase 5K." Online registration will end on Sunday, Nov. 19, but people may register in person at the event.