The final preparations are underway for the inaugural Lehighton Officers Down 5K race to be held Sunday at 10 a.m.

The race, which starts at Alum Street and Eighth Street, benefits the Lehighton police department, a fund for a state trooper killed in a sniper attack in September, and a Bethlehem Fraternal Order of Police lodge.The cost is $20 per runner plus a $2.50 sign-up fee.Friday afternoon was the second opportunity for runners to pick up their race packets.Nikki Nothstein, who is married to a police officer in Bethlehem, is the local organizer for the event."The more I think about how little we do locally to support our officers the more I wanted to bring something home to them. I happened to find the Officers Down Memorial Page, and things kind of fell together pretty quickly. We have had a couple sad years in the last five or so where the line-of-duty deaths hit very close to home. It always strikes a chord throughout the whole Blue Line Family," she said.There will also be a half-mile fun run at 11 a.m. for children age 12 and under. The cost is $10 per runner plus a $2 sign-up fee.Registration on the day of the race ends at 9:30 a.m.An opening ceremony will be held at 9:45 a.m. at 260 N. Third St.PSP Strong shirts will be sold at the event as a fundraiser for the state police.A portion of the race proceeds will benefit the Cpl. Bryon K. Dickson II Memorial Fund. Dickson was killed in an ambush attack as he left the Blooming Grove barracks, Pike County, on Sept. 12. After a seven-week search, police arrested Eric Frein, of Canadensis.There is no parking near the start/finish line and organizers ask attendees to utilize the parking lot at the Lehighton High School entering on the Ninth Street side.Victoria Rose, who will sing the national anthem, posted a brief message on the event's Facebook page."Being very close friends with a police officer myself, I feel that it is important to honor all policemen and anyone who has touched their lives and known them," she said. "Fortunately enough, I was never affected by a tragedy of a fallen officer but I send my best wishes and prayers for those who have."