7th Annual Turkey
Trot Proves to be a Success
Old and young gather at the Christ Church of Arlington, VA to continue a Thanksgiving Day tradition.
By Erinn Spack
ARLINGTON, VA---- The 7th
annual Arlington Turkey Trot took place on Thanksgiving morning, bringing together 3,000 families in the community to celebrate the holiday and to donate food
and money to those in need.
Starting in 2006, the
Arlington Turkey Trot was an idea that came to life by Pastor Brian Webster and
his wife of The Christ Church of Arlington. Looking for ways to bless the
community they decided to host a local Turkey Trot.
“The church does not make any money, but contributes all the profits to three local charities: Doorways for Women & Families, Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless, and AFAC,” said Pastor Webster.
“The church does not make any money, but contributes all the profits to three local charities: Doorways for Women & Families, Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless, and AFAC,” said Pastor Webster.
IT’S NOT JUST A RACE
Going from only 300 entries in the first turkey trot race in 2006,
to selling out with 3,000 entries in the past two years, families have made
this event a new Thanksgiving Day tradition. Bill Spack of Arlington, VA brought
his family to the race to enjoy some rare family bonding time.
“As our children have gotten older and gone away to college, the opportunities for our family to come together have become increasingly rare," Spack says, "One of the best times of the year that is focused strictly on family is Thanksgiving. The turkey trot is a great activity to bring the family together and one that we can all participate in.”
“As our children have gotten older and gone away to college, the opportunities for our family to come together have become increasingly rare," Spack says, "One of the best times of the year that is focused strictly on family is Thanksgiving. The turkey trot is a great activity to bring the family together and one that we can all participate in.”
MAN ON A
MISSION
 |
| Ryan Hart (left) and Todd Burns run across the finish line at the 7th annual Arlington Turkey Trot. |
“I was here to win,”17-year-old Ryan Hart said just a few minutes after crossing the finish line.
Tying for third place with runner Todd Burns, Ryan finished the 3.1-mile race with hopes of getting a good start to his spring track season.
GIVING BACK
While the event attracts all kinds of runners on Thanksgiving
morning, the food and money donations that families provide are what really
brings everyone together.
Collecting over 1,207lbs of food at the race this year, “The Arlington community has embraced and loves the idea of helping the less fortunate in our midst,” said Pastor Webster. “Last year alone, we were able to give approximately $36,000.”
Collecting over 1,207lbs of food at the race this year, “The Arlington community has embraced and loves the idea of helping the less fortunate in our midst,” said Pastor Webster. “Last year alone, we were able to give approximately $36,000.”
Having already raised over $100,000 since the turkey trot began, the
Christ Church of Arlington plans to continue the early morning Thanksgiving tradition
of bringing families together and raising support for those in need.
RELATED LINKS
11th Annual Turkey Trot for Hunger
For more information about the Arlington Turkey Trot visit: www.ccapca.org/turkeytrot
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