One of the most talked-about television shows in America returns Sunday night when “The Walking Dead” begins its much anticipated fifth season of scary fun.

But local residents will get the jump on the action with a little zombie excitement of their own while at the same time helping kids and families when Teaching Family Homes has its Local 3 Zombie 5K Run starting at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The woods around the Teaching Family Homes campus in Marquette have been invaded by the walking dead and participants will have the chance to run for their lives in this entertaining event which supports TFH’s work in assisting young people.

Today, race packets will be available for pick up at the Westwood Mall, but interested people can still register for the Zombie 5K Saturday. The day-of-race prices are $35 for adults and $30 for those 18 and under. A portion of the proceeds will go the Michigan Community Dental Clinic.

The race itself will take participants through the network of trails around TFH’s facility which is located at the end of Silver Creek Road in Chocolay Township. But beware, because those brave enough to take part will be greeted by beautiful fall foliage, a challenging terrain and zombies.

Two aid stations will be available on the course for participants and Superior Timing will also be on site to track time and pace for racers. Then the race awards will be announced at a “Quarantine” after party held at the Ore Dock Brewing Co. in downtown Marquette following the race. Volunteers will be there to serve a warm chili dinner for race participants … and the zombies.

Teaching Family Homes is a private, non-profit child welfare agency, which has been providing services to children and families in need since 1981. What started as a six-children group home has become a 40-acre campus in Marquette plus offering programs at numerous locations around the Upper Peninsula in addition to providing training and consultation services to school districts and other child care organizations as far away as Hawaii.

Teaching Family Homes has grown to become the largest private child welfare organization in the peninsula. For more information on its work, visit teachingfamilyhomes.org.

We hope the woods are packed with runners trying to escape the TFH zombies on the eve of the return of the television “Walking Dead.” The race is a fun way to support two worthy causes.