An annual 5K raising money for veterans and veteran families in need had a packed field of runners Sunday in what organizers call their biggest year ever.

Veterans Inc. capped the number of runners at 500 for this year's race. The annual Run4Veterans 5K kicked off from Wormtown Brewery on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester.

This is the race's 19th year. Some participants wore patriotic gear in an effort to best represent their branch of service.

Money raised will benefit the Holiday Harvest program later this month, which will feed thousands of people this Thanksgiving.

"We can't do our job without the support of the community," said President Vincent Perrone. "It is so important that the community is backing the programs that we host at Veterans Inc. And we are so honored and thrilled that the community comes out and honors our veterans as we do."

"There's no better cause than caring for those who cared for all of us," said Veterans Inc. executive director Denis Leary. "Namely, the veterans of the armed forces of the United States. And so today's race, that's what it's really all about. It's a chance for us to say thank you. A chance for us to give back to the veterans who really took care of all of us."

"It means a ton," said Dani Leary, a Navy veteran and race participant. "I'm so happy there are so many people out here supporting our veterans. It means that we're going to be able to give back to our veterans in need, and really just recognizing the service of everybody in our community. It's a huge day for all of us."

Veterans Inc. expects to raise $50,000 this year. The nonprofit will be having more holiday-centric events with Thanksgiving just a few weeks away. They'll host their pancake breakfast on Veterans Day, and their Holiday Harvest will be Tuesday, Nov. 21.