Submitted photo After declaring November to be Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in Elkins, Mayor Jerry Marco stands with Lisa Weese, a member of WV Alzheimer’s Association’s North Central WV Committee and the director of the Alzheimer’s Association Race to Remember.

ELKINS — The City of Elkins has declared November to be Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, as the Race to Remember Turkey Trot is set to take place on Sunday.

On Nov. 6, Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco signed a proclamation declaring November to be Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in Elkins. The proclamation urges all Elkins citizens to “become more aware and educated” on Alzheimer’s disease, and calls on citizens to support the WV Alzheimer’s Association in their efforts “to bring awareness regarding Alzheimer’s disease” to the area.

“There is an urgent need to raise awareness and understanding about Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia,” the proclamation from Marco states. “The Alzheimer’s Association, West Virginia Chapter, is committed to support services, education, advocacy and research on behalf of those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia and their caregivers.”

More than 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, and about 115,000 West Virginians age 45 or older are “currently living with some form of dementia,” the proclamation states. This includes 1,907 people in Randolph County.

The proclamation also acknowledges that more than 11 million American caregivers provide “over 18 billions hours” of unpaid care.

“Everyone is unique. Experts have identified common warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, including memory loss, confusion about time and place, struggling to complete familiar tasks, trouble finding appropriate words, difficulties in judging situations and changes in mood and personality,” the proclamation states.

Marco was joined in the proclamation signing by Lisa Weese, a member of WV Alzheimer’s Association’s North Central WV Committee and the director of the Alzheimer’s Association Race to Remember.

On Nov. 16, alongside Weese, the Mountaineer Running Company will be hosting the Race to Remember Turkey Trot to raise funds for Alzheimer’s in West Virginia.

The race will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Elkins, according to the event’s notes on the online sign-up page. It is a 5K road course that will take participants through parts of Elkins and River Bend Park. The event will feature multiple rewards and prizes, and participants are also given the option to run the “Mountaineer Mile.”

Water and post-race snacks will be provided, and restrooms and parking will be provided. No animals will be permitted to take part in the race; however, strollers for children 5 years old and younger are allowed to complete the one-mile “Mountaineer Mile.”

Participants will be able to register the day of the event, or check in if they are already registered from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Sunday.

The awards ceremony will be at 3:45 p.m.