I was reading today's St. Petersburg Times, and came across a featured story in the Tampa Bay Section, regarding the 30th running of the Turkey Trot.
The running through the streets of Clearwater began in 1979, when Jimmy Carter was the President of the United States. Less than 1000 people took part in the inaugural run. this Thanksgiving Day, more that 16,000, (over 16,600 participated in 2007) will run through Clearwater.
What started as, and is still a fun run, many of the originally runners from 1979 have gotten their children and other family members involved.
The fun begins on Wednesday evening with a kick-off party at Jack White Stadium located at Clearwater High School on Hercules Ave. Then on Thursday morning, before eating theit turkey with all the dressing, followed by pumpkin pie, the 16,000 plus runners will take to the street in either a 5K Run, a 5K Fun run for walkers/joggers and a 1 mile Gobbler fitness/run/walk. AND THEN at 8:30, the 10 K Turkey Trot will begin.
Why do people do this? Well, approximately $30,000 is raised, (last year) and all monies goes to local charities, including West Florida Runners Club Scholarship Programs, Big Brother/Big Sisters of Pinellas County and the Children's Heart Foundation. It's a fun event for all, benefiting good causes.
Check out the St. Petersburg Times or www.tampabay.com/turkeytrot.
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