The Chilmark Road Race arrives on Middle Road for its 46th outing this Saturday. Start time is 10:30 a.m. for the 5K race that has become a tradition for many Island families.

“Most of our runners return year after year,” said Hugh Weisman, the event’s founder and director. “Some of them ran it as kids and probably have grandchildren running it now.”

Susan Wilson, 93, who set the course record for the 90+ age group last year, will be back on the course on Saturday, Mr. Weisman said. And Rosemary Clough, 86, whose likeness graced the race’s posters for about 25 years, will also return.

Check-in for registered runners is Friday, August 11, from 5 to 7 p.m. and the morning of the race from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Part of the allure of the race is its unique course, Mr. Weisman said. Unlike many 5K races, Chilmark Road Race is one long straight away rather than looping back so the start and finish lines are at the same spot. After a flat first half, hills rule the course until the last half mile. There, the course flattens a bit as “glorious” views of farmlands and the Atlantic carry runners into their final pushes, Mr. Weisman said.

“It’s a downhill to the finish at the Chilmark town hall with a mob of people,” Mr. Weisman said. “It becomes pretty exciting towards the end.”

Last year’s winner, then-17-year-old Charlie Ortmans, finished in 14 minutes and 56 seconds, just 20 seconds shy of Art Smith’s 1986 course record of 14:38. Eighteen-year-old Jack Lionette of Chilmark, who holds course records for the 0-8 and 9-11 age groups, has come in second place for the past two years.

Mr. Weisman said that in addition to Mr. Lionette, another runner to watch is Will Whelan of Newburgh, N.Y. Mr. Whelan last ran the race in 2015 when he was 16 years old and placed 10th in his age group.

“He’s apparently been running very good times in New York,” Mr. Weisman said. “And he says he’s out to win it this year.”