BREWER – When Dave Jeffrey signed on in 1982 to guide a ragtag bunch of Brewer High sophomores who wanted to hold a fund-raising road race, he didn’t forsee what that race would become.

As this fall’s 17th Turkey Trot 5K looms, Jeffrey admits the race has far outgrown its modest roots.

“I almost think it’s too big,” Jeffrey said with a chuckle Wednesday. “The bottom line is it’s still me and a bunch of sophomores running this thing. And it’s not like we’ve got the same kids every year.”

This year’s crop of sophs will hold their major fund-raiser on the same date as usual: the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This year, that’s Nov. 22.

As of Wednesday afternoon Jeffrey said 325 runners had preregistered. Last year, 511 registered and 405 actually ran the 5K race.

The day kicks off with a fun run for kids under 13 at 12:30 p.m. The 3.1-mile Turkey Trot follows at 1 p.m.

Because of the existence of the fun run, the race course will be closed and 5K runners should be at the high school as early as possible.

Jeffrey said the race that began as an event for the Brewer community has emerged as something bigger than that.

“It’s the capper on the season for some, it’s a family race for some others, and it’s a tradition for some others,” Jeffrey said. “It’s found a nice little niche for itself, where there’s nothing else like it.”

The race is a fairly fast out-and-back affair on Parkway South in Brewer. The only real challenge is a steady climb back to Brewer High over the final half-mile.

The Turkey Trot gets its name not only because it is run during the holiday season, but also because of the prizes up for grabs.

This year 48 turkeys will be given to winners of different categories.

And while official results are being tabulated Sunday, race organizers will again hand out 120 random prizes donated by local businesses.

The final drawing of the day always gives one runner a little holiday cheer: A random runner receives $1 for every runner registered in the race – a pot that should again exceed $500.

Jeffrey said the only real change in this year’s race will affect safety: For the first time, the exit ramps to I-395 will be closed during the race.

Overall, Jeffrey is pleased with what the race has become – even if it does test the organizational abilities of his makeshift race team.

And despite the finicky Maine weather, he expects a good turnout.

“We’ve had bad days and we still have big crowds,” Jeffrey said.

Holiday races

Nov. 22

AT BREWER, Brewer Turkey Trot 5K, at high school, 1 p.m., call Dave Jeffrey at 825-3403

AT CAPE ELIZABETH, Turkey Trot 5K, call 741-2084

Nov. 26

AT PORTLAND, Thanksgiving Day 4-Miler, 9 a.m., kids K at 8:30 a.m., call George Towle at 780-5182; gtowle@usm.maine.edu

Nov. 28

AT CARIBOU, Turkey Trot 5K, at high school, 10 a.m.

AT MADISON, Season’s Greetings 5.5-Miler, 11 a.m., call Ron Paquette at 437-9237