Bedford’s annual early morning Turkey Trot to benefit the Bedford Food Pantry is on Thanksgiving, just three weeks from today, and organizer Chuck Connell can’t wait. “It is a great way to build up an appetite for Thanksgiving dinner,” adding, “there are no timing chips or VIP tents, just nice people supporting a good cause.”
The Turkey Trot is a friendly 5K fun-run and a 2-mile walk that provides a significant portion of the annual budget for the Bedford Food Pantry/Community Table.
While former organizer Rich Hamilton gave great advice and support, the first year was a learning experience for Connell. “I got most of the kinks out last year,” he said, “and so this year feels easier.”
Why is the Bedford Turkey Trot an Important Community Event?
Peter Grey says that the race is the Bedford Food Pantry and Community Table’s major community fundraiser, and he salutes the Turkey Trot’s “fantastic support and wonderful effort.”
On average, the Pantry supplies Thanksgiving meals to more than 40 families each year, offering turkeys, pies, and some trimmings. Pantry members may sign up during regular Thursday pantry hours until November 14 for pick-up on Monday, November 25.
Connell makes particular note of the race’s primary sponsor, Callahan’s Karate (www.callahanskarate.com), and its major sponsor WT Phelan Insurance (www.wtphelan.com). Each will make a significant cash donation directly to the Food Pantry on behalf of the 2019 Turkey Trot.
If you or your business would like to become sponsors, please contact [email protected].
Registration Details
The 5K Bedford Turkey Trot is a USA Track & Field sanctioned race, # 19-02-286, with a concurrent 2-mile walk suitable for families and groups of friends walking and chatting.
The registration fee until November 20 is $30, and rises to $35 on November 21.
Because the race is run on roads that are not closed to traffic first thing on Thanksgiving morning, registration is limited to 250 runners and only 63 slots remain three weeks before the race, although an unlimited number of walkers will be welcome.
Children 12 and under receive a discount (applied at checkout) so Connell suggests that the whole family takes part.
All registration is online, click this link to register for the 5k run, the 2-mile walk, or to purchase a race shirt.
Participants must collect their race number from 3 to 7 pm on Wednesday, November 27, at Callahan’s Karate, 20 North Road behind Bedford Farms. There will be no race day pick up.
Because of insurance concerns, all pets must remain at home this year.
Order Your 2019 Turkey Trot Race Shirt by Friday, November 8
Top-quality performance-blend long-sleeved shirts are available for purchase as a separate line item at registration. Under this new system, your full registration fee benefits the Pantry, and ‘one-and-done’ t-shirts stay out of the refuse stream.
Shirt orders close on November 8 and will be available for pick-up at Callahan’s along with race numbers on Wednesday, November 26 from 3 to 7 pm.
Volunteer to Help
If you would like to help put on the race, please see the volunteer signup here: www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094eaaae2da4fb6-2019
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