ST. GEORGE – On a bright, chilly, Saturday morning hundreds of runners gathered at Seegmiller Historic Farm to participate in St. George Races’ Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile run. The race, which benefits Dixie Care and Share by collecting canned goods from participants drew a large crowd who came out to race for a good cause and hopefully waddle home with their own turkey.
Runners at this family friendly event came dressed in costumes ranging from turkeys, pilgrims, hot dogs and even Santa Claus adding a unique and festive atmosphere to the race that was perpetuated by loud music, an energetic race announcer and a large crowd of happy racers.
At the start line racers gathered together and gave a resounding battle cry of the mighty turkey before taking off on one of two routes and distances; the 5K or 1 mile. The varied field featured runners of all ages, sizes and abilities, many of whom came to spend a day with their families supporting a good cause.
Rachel Robins and Charlotte Stephenson, a mother and daughter duo, have participated in the turkey trot for the past three years, they said, and it has quickly become an annual tradition because of the family atmosphere and the cause it supports.
“It collects food for people in our area,” Stephenson said, “that will go to Dixie Care and Share and other organizations that need food especially at Thanksgiving. It’s cool because we know that this food is staying down here.”
Robins also had a 14-year-old son participating in the race, she said, adding that it is fun for their whole family to come out.
One of the biggest draws for participants was the raffle at the end of the race. Racers were given tickets which were put into a basket and drawn out for prizes which included water bottles, St. George Running Center gear and gift certificates, free race entries, massages and, crowd favorite, frozen turkeys.
“I came out to maybe win a turkey or two,” race participant Tommy Hayes said. “That’s my goal, I’ve got that in my sights.”
The “Turkey Trot” is the last race of the 2014 season for St. George Races and organizers were pleased with the turnout and the food collection. Race Specialist Anilee Bundy said:
It was awesome. We had a great turnout, more people than I was expecting this year which is always fun when you get the community coming out to support the events that we have going on out here. The food collection went great we have a huge trailer full of food that we will take to Dixie Care and Share and weigh it and see how we did.
Bundy expressed her gratitude to the community for coming out and supporting the event and said that it means a lot to be able to give back.
“We love doing this event,” Bundy said, “it is one of our favorite events of the year.”
St. George Races posted to their Facebook page that a total of 1,461 lbs. of food was collected at Saturday’s Turkey Trot.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
Front row: Lincoln Kelson. Middle Row: Carter Hugunin (L) and Dominic Kelson (R). Back row: Ted Hugunin (L) and Vicki Wilson (R). Family and friends don turkey hats and get set to participate in the Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Aleq Reese (L) and Aaron Metler (R) pause for a photo before the start of the Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
And they're off! Racers take off running at the St. George Races Turkey Trot, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
And they're off! Racers take off running at the St. George Races Turkey Trot, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
And they're off! Racers take off running at the St. George Races Turkey Trot, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
And they're off! Racers take off running at the St. George Races Turkey Trot, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
And they're off! Racers take off running at the St. George Races Turkey Trot, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Volunteers hand out Gatorade and water during the Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A crowd of racers awaits the prize drawings at the Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run to benefit Dixie Care and Share, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A crowd of racers awaits the prize drawings at the Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run to benefit Dixie Care and Share, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A crowd of racers awaits the prize drawings at the Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run to benefit Dixie Care and Share, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Manny Guarda shows off the turkey he won during the raffle at the Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Elliott Ensign (L) and Molly Ensign (R) participate in the Turkey Trot 5K and 1 mile fun run, St. George, Utah, Nov. 22, 2014 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
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- Turkey Trot collects canned goods for Dixie Care and Share, thanks community
- The Gobbler: Hit the trail for a good cause Thanksgiving Day
- Christian Contemporary concert benefits Dixie Care and Share
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I hate it when I have the trots and runs.