Those of you who live in Huntington County Indiana know that the Thanksgiving Day events and activities list is well short. The fifth or seventh, depending on who your source is, annual Turkey Trot is the only Thanksgiving Day event in the county. While it is the single event there are different aspects of it, and one of them isn’t a bunch of real life turkeys trotting, but that would be quite the sight. If you’re a runner, competitive or just feel the need to run this Turkey Trot is just what you’ve been waiting for and if not I have some other ideas.
So what exactly is this Turkey Trot? The main event is a 5k-run/walk Thanksgiving morning. Pre-registration is twenty-five dollars and this includes a long sleeve shirt for all who enter on or before Thursday November 17, 2011. Registration needs to be completed at active.com. Make sure you get up early Thursday morning, because registration is from 8:00-8:45 am and costs thirty dollars. The course runs through Ritter Park and all runners will be provided with refreshments.
Awards will be given to the top male and female in the following categories: 0-12, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over. There is also a Stroller Division Award (doesn’t the 0-12 age make sense now) given to the largest family participating. Awards will also be handed out for farthest traveled, largest food donation and best costume (did I mention that you can don a costume and you should, so what if Halloween is over, go ahead be festive). More awards will be handed out after the race.
For those of you not interested in participating in the Turkey Trot think about giving back. How, you say? Donate food and/or clothes to the Salvation Army and ask if they are serving a Thanksgiving meal to the less fortunate, and if they ask to volunteer. You can also volunteer at one of the meal ministries around town there are two that I know of. One is on Etna Ave and the New Life Fellowship Church has one across from the courthouse.
If you’re planning to participate in the Turkey Trot you are asked to bring cans or bags of pet food to be donated to Little Victories. Also don’t forget to bring human food donations, the more you bring the better chance you have at winning an award and it’s for a good cause.
Source cited:
Huntington Indiana TAB