For the fifth year, Turkey Trot gets folks moving on Thanksgiving morning
Runners leave the starting line at the 2014 Turkey Trot 5K run/walk, which is becoming a Thanksgiving tradition among area runners. This year marks the five-year anniversary for the 3.1-mile event. Everyone, runner or walker, is welcome to participate. All proceeds from the event go to Ozark County Youth Opportunities organization, which helps with financial assistance for youth to explore a variety of opportunities - ranging from providing athletic shoes to music lessons. The organization’s latest donation helped purchase archery equipment for Gainesville’s archery team. See page 9 for story and photos.
The Ozark County Youth Opportunities organization is hosting the fifth annual Turkey Trot 5K in Gainesville at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving Day. The organization has helped Ozark County children in a variety of ways, such as sports registration fees, athletic shoes, music lessons and equipment (see related story, page 9).
The group was organized about five years ago by Billy Pippin and David Murphy with the mission to “provide support and help remove or relieve the burden of financial cost to ensure that every child in Ozark County has the opportunity to participate in a broad spectrum of activities.”
Pippin expressed his appreciation to community members who have made the Ozark County Youth Opportunities program successful. “I”m always amazed at how many times we ask people for help with something and how many times we hear yes,” he said. “You’d think people would get tired of being asked, but over and over again, they step up and provide when something is needed.”
There is no need to have pre-registered for the 5K, Murphy said. Runners and walkers can register in Billy Pippin’s office on the west side of the square beginning at 7:30 a.m. Thursday. The cost to participate in the 5K is $25 and all competitors will receive a long-sleeve T-shirt. Organizers are also offering a shorter Kids Run for $10. Children participating will receive a ribbon for completing the race. Overall male and female first-place winners receive a turkey, courtesy of Town & Country Supermarket.