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NEWS BRIEFS
4th annual Turkey Trot set for morning of Thanksgiving
Several people participate in the Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run/Walk event held Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, at Ritter Park in Huntington. All proceeds from the registration fees benefit Little Victories No-kill animal shelter.
Purchase this photoHUNTINGTON -- What started out as a family vacation for one local attorney has quickly turned into a new Thanksgiving tradition for families throughout the Tri-State.
The 4th Annual Turkey Trot will begin at 9 a.m Thanksgiving morning at Ritter Park, and it will benefit Little Victories Animal Rescue Center in Milton, as it has done for the last two years.
The Trot is a 5k run or walk, depending on how participants are feeling Thanksgiving morning.
The idea started when Patty Jennings, who is an attorney with BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company in Charleston, took a trip to St. Louis several years ago. She participated in her first Turkey Trot, and was eager to participate in a local Trot. There was just one problem.
"We looked to see if there was a similar event in Huntington or even near Huntington, but there wasn't one," Jennings said. "We just decided that we would have our own Turkey Trot, so just about three days before Thanksgiving we started sending out emails and having schools put flyers in students' backpacks. We had about fifty or sixty people that first year."
That was just the beginning.
Last year, more than 500 people participated in the Turkey Trot. Jennings said a little more than 300 people had pre-registered online, but an additional 200 people showed up the day of the event to register. Needless to say, they ran out of t-shirts.
The deadline for pre-registration has already passed for this year, but Jennings said that is no reason for anyone to hesitate in coming down to Ritter Park on Thanksgiving.
"It's more of a family event than a serious race. There are serious runners there, but it's not a 5k where you need to get out of the way if you aren't running a five minute mile," Jennings said. "There's an equal blend of runners and walkers. There are people walking dogs and pushing strollers. Plus, there's not really anything going on that day unless you're getting an early start on your cooking."
Even though it isn't a "racer's race" there are awards given out to the top male and female finishers. Awards for the largest family participating, the best costume and the farthest travelled will be up for grabs, as well.
In addition to the convenience and a good time, the Trot benefits a local cause.
Jennings said there was no time to consider a benefactor during the first year, but by the second year, she said she knew that this was something that could help the community in more ways than one. That's when she gave Sue Brown at Little Victories a call.
"She asked us if we wanted to be the benefactor, and, of course, we said, 'Yes,' which has worked out great because it's grown every year since," Brown said. "We always have members and volunteers there, but Patty gets all the credit. She does a wonderful job."
Those participating in the event are encouraged to bring food or supplies to the event. She hinted particularly for puppy food, as the shelter is housing just less than 40 puppies.
Regardless of how many people or pounds of puppy food are on hand, Jennings and Brown both said they're thankful for the opportunity to engage the community on so many different levels.
"I think about last year, when Huntington was called the fattest city in the nation, and there was that increase in participation of so many of the fitness events just to show that Huntington was healthy and fitness conscious. That is a goal, as well," Jennings said. "You can benefit Little Victories at a festive family event while responding positively to a negative label that West Virginia gets a lot of the time."
Brown agreed, noting there were plenty of ways to show your appreciation for others during the holiday season.
"I just hope everyone has a lot of fun while knowing the money is going to a good cause to help save animals this Thanksgiving," Brown said. "The animals certainly are thankful."
For more information about the 4th Annual Turkey Trot visit www.huntingtonturkeytrot.org, the Huntington Turkey Trot Facebook page.
