(HELENA) Hundreds of people participated in a Thanksgiving tradition on Thursday morning in Helena – the Turkey Trot.
The Turkey Trot is a 1K, 5K, and 10K fun run now in its 37th year. The proceeds from the run benefit Helena Food Share and Shodair Children’s Hospital.
Crossroads Fitness, which facilitates the event, said 850 people participated last year, but turnout depends on the weather.
Bill Schauer has been running the Turkey Trot for about 35 of the 37 years of the race. Schauer said there is one thing that always keeps him coming back.
“I burn off some calories so I can eat double calories for Thanksgiving and I don’t feel guilty. You know you can eat the pies and all the goodies after for dinner,” Schauer said.
Whitney Taylor, Crossroads Fitness sales director, said the race is a fun way for people to exercise and also help out local organizations.
“Some people dress up. There is a drawing afterwards, a raffle awards. We give away, pies, turkeys. It’s just a lot of fun,” Taylor said.
Schauer said when the race first started, it drew in around 15 or 20 people but has grown dramatically since then.
- Reported by Jacob Fuhrer
