The 12th annual Turkey Trot 5k is Saturday morning at Lykins Park.

“It’s become a well-oiled machine after 12 years,” Kristy Weckwert, marketing director at Clark County Community Services, said.

The 5K, which had nearly 150 runners and walkers, raising $12,000 last year, is a fundraiser for CCCS. This year will mark the event’s third year at Lykins.

Lykins Park is located just east of Winchester on Mount Sterling Road. Volunteers will hand out water at various locations along the course.

According to the forecast, the weather will range in temperature from 32 to 48 degrees, and the sun will be out all day, with no rain in sight.

The Turkey Trot 5K is mapped and timed by John’s Run Walk Shop.

“It’s a true cross country course,” CCCS Director Debbie Fatkin said.

Those who register on race day will pay $30.

Teams are also an option, and there is no additional fee for signing up a team.

There will be prizes for the Wild Turkey Team (the team with the most spirit), the Big Turkey Team (the team with the most runners and walkers present on race day) and the Money Turkey Team (the team that raises the most money).

“We love having teams participate,” Weckwert said.

The mission of CCCS is to provide a one-stop place where Clark County families can receive assistance in times of crisis and promote responsive families toward self-sufficiency, according to its website.

All proceeds from the 2019 Turkey Trot 5K will benefit the 1,400 families seeking food, clothing, utility assistance and housing assistance each month, Fatkin said.

“It’s really to help the cost of providing crisis or emergency type needs for Clark County families,” she said.

The top three overall men and women will receive ribbons and organically-raised turkeys donated by Full Circle Market. Also, the top three in each gender/age division will receive ribbons.

Parking for Saturday’s event will be available across the street from the park. Participants can pick up their pre-packet or register at Full Circle Market, 1988 Bypass Road, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday.

If participants are unable to pick up during this time, they can pick up the packet between 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday before the start of the race.

Participants will receive their items in a brown paper sack, Fatkin said, to prompt them to fill the bag with non-perishable food to take to the food pantry at CCCS.

Race registration and packet pick-up begin at 8 a.m. Saturday and the race starts at 9:30 a.m.

Weckwert invites people to sign up to run or walk Saturday.

“It helps our families,” she said. “It’s for a good cause, and it’s fun.”

Fatkin said if people aren’t interested in running or walking in the race, they can still pay the fee to purchase a shirt.

“We have great shirts,” she said. “… That’s our pride and joy.”

Fatkin said she hopes the race also promotes all of the services CCCS offers as some people don’t realize the breadth of services or even know CCCS exists.

“It’s another great way to talk to people about what we do,” she said.