Thoughts of summer will be in order on Saturday when the Dorchester Running Club’s second annual “Halfway to Dot Day 5k” road race kicks off at 9 a.m. at the Hallet Street entrance to Pope John Paul II Park.

Runners will follow the Neponset Greenway trail through the park and finish back at Hallet Street while listening to the holiday songs carolers from the Boston City Singers and Boston Children’s Theater who will be spread out along the course.

And keep an eye out for a team of elves who will be handing out candy canes.

Proceeds from the race will be donated to a variety of organizations like St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children and the Leahy-Holloran Community Center, as well as to deserving local families.

“We established the race as a way to create a sense of community doing something fun (running!) that included all levels and ages,” said Stefanie O’Shea, a member of the running club. “We framed it so that we could create partnerships to help families and organizations in Dorchester during the holidays. We purposely keep the registration low ($20, which takes care of a shirt and a handmade ornament by a local artist) so that cost is not a barrier. We encourage the children, who run for free, to bring an unwrapped toy for the Friends of Mayor Walsh’s Toy Drive.”

All runners with a race bib (some 500 have registered and online applications have been closed ) get to enjoy breakfast in Florian Hall right after the race, O’Shea said. Running teams include Sole Train and the Boston Police Athletic League, and extended family groups dot the roster.

“The most exciting thing is seeing so many families and people from all around Dorchester and beyond lining up at the start line, having a good time and being there to support their neighbors in need,” said O’Shea. “Dorchester Running Club is not just a group of people that run together but also a community-based club that wants to help out and lift our community up.”

Race sponsors include Elliott Physical Therapy, EasCare, the Boston Police Athletic League, Uber, City of Boston Credit Union, In Memory of Baby Ambrose Valentino, MJW Charitable Foundation, Lucy’s American Tavern, TCM, and TCMurphy Inc.

To learn more about the various sponsorship opportunities and ways to support the race, send an email to Jenn McQuaid at DorchesterRunningClub@gmail.com.