By CRAIG FREILICH

WEST POTSDAM – With more than 600 participants expected and registrations closed, the 14th running of the charity Hobble Gobble Prediction Run/Walk begins at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 from the West Potsdam Fire Department Bingo Hall on Blanchard Road.

“We had over 600 competitors last year for the first time, and this year we have over 600 pre-registered for the first time,” said race founder and organizer Derry Loucks.

The race has been growing steadily since the first race in 1998. Loucks says the event has raised more than $75,000 in total.

This year, as usual, the main beneficiary is the Potsdam Holiday Fund. Others who will receive funds from the money raised are the Neighborhood Centers in Massena, Canton, Ogdensburg and Colton, Helping Hands in Hannawa Falls, and various other groups.

The race has an unusual format: the contestants make their best guess as to how long it will take them to finish their chosen course, either the course that’s less than four miles and another that’s less than seven miles. The eight walkers and runners from the short course and four from the long course who are the closest to the time they predicted get a trophy, a turkey, and their names on next year’s commemorative T-shirt.

All registrants get a goodie bag, and the first 550 finishers get a finisher’s medal.

The event has also become known for the entertainment they provide along the courses, such as cheerleaders, bands and DJs, and Pilgrim and turkey mascots. And there will be post-race refreshments.

People will be coming from all over the New York and New England area and nearby Canada, including the first mainland Chinese citizen to compete.

Loucks says that the growing numbers of competitors and dollars raised “validate the hard work that goes into it every year. In fact we’re already working on next year, when we’ll have some anniversary specials for the 15th Hobble Gobble.”