I posted this earlier on another blog. We have done this since Thanksgiving 2006 so it's now an official "family tradition".
From the first one:I'm so pleased with myself. This morning I just did a local "Turkey Trot", just the walking part, but I made it 2 miles and didn't need the extra cortisone I brought just in case.
This event benefits the local Life With Cancer center where I take some classes. It's such a neat feeling to be out there with 4,000 others, all running/walking/trotting/pushing strollers/walking dogs for a common cause. This event today took in over $250,000. Amazing!
My son and husband ran (one way faster than the other!) and my mom and I walked. It was so cold and rainy, but what a sense of accomplishment! I had no idea if I could do that or not, but now that I have, maybe next year I'll be running too. (HA!)
We set out again this Thanksgiving, bright and early, even though our son couldn’t come home to run the race. My DH, mom, dog Mimi and I all walked the course though – it’s a tradition! Lots of other dogs were there, too – and lots of people! – and Mimi wanted to meet them all, especially the dogs.
Once again it was great to help the Life With Cancer Center. Every year, I wear my 2006 shirt since that was my “cancer year”.
From http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=335181&paper=82&cat=104
Virginia Run Readies for Turkey Trot Race
21st annual event is in honor of Lauri Dodson.
By Bonnie Hobbs
Friday, November 20, 2009Pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and the Virginia Run Turkey Trot make for a Thanksgiving day tradition that’s hard to beat. And this year’s 5K race and 2K fun walk should be no exception.
Besides enabling participants to work out before the big meal, it also raises funds for Life with Cancer, Inova Health System’s nonprofit program for cancer patients and their families.
"It’s a great cause," said event chairman Dominic DeVincenzo. "Last year, we raised just under $40,000." Life with Cancer has received Turkey Trot’s proceeds for 17 years and, this year, will exceed $515,000 total from the race.
The organization helps families mentally, psychologically and emotionally. Its programs are for those with cancer and those affected by it, and children and teens learn how to cope and to show their support of loved ones.
Each Turkey Trot is run in memory of a Virginia Run resident who died of cancer during the year, and this one is in honor of Lauri Dodson, who passed away in January. There’s also a tribute to former race director Dick Chillemi, who died of heart problems in March 2008.
"He was a wonderful friend and so good to the community," said DeVincenzo. "On each commemorative T-shirt will be a black ribbon with his name above it, the words ‘race director’ and the dates 1994-2003."
The 2009 Turkey Trot 5K kicks off Thursday, Nov. 26, at 8 a.m., followed immediately by the 2K fun walk. The running course is USATF-certified; both it and the 2K start and end at the Virginia Run Community Center, 15355 Wetherburn Court, off Route 29 and Pleasant Valley Road, in Centreville.
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Lila Jade Koumtakoun, 11, who’s been participating in Life with Cancer’s program for family members, for a year, designed this year’s T-shirt.
It shows a child looking up at a rainbow and, said DeVincenzo, "When she submitted her design, she told me, ‘Life with Cancer helps me get my feelings out.’"
The event takes place, rain, shine or snow, and parking is available at nearby Centreville Baptist Church, Centreville Presbyterian Church and Bull Run Elementary, all off Route 29. More than 2,300 runners participated in last year’s race, plus some 800 walkers, and this year’s pre-registration is keeping pace, so DeVincenzo hopes for at least the same amount.
Runners are electronically timed and results posted on www.runwashington.com. Prizes are awarded to the two fastest males and females overall and in the Virginia Run residents’ category. The top two runners in various age categories also receive prizes.
The main sponsors are Mitchell Eye Institute, Fairfax Oncology and Elan Tech Systems of Chantilly, and DeVincenzo is grateful for their generous contributions, especially in the difficult economy.
Race preparations have been underway since spring and 150 people will help out on the big day. But volunteers are still needed for that day and to help stuff the runners’ packets and do other needed tasks, at the community center, this Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m.-noon; Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 6-8:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, Nov. 25, from 2-8 p.m. Call DeVincenzo at 703-830-7634.
Involved with Turkey Trot for 17 years and, in explaining what keeps him returning, he replied, "A lot of the people I work with on a yearly basis, the satisfaction of donating that money to Life with Cancer and the good I see it doing."
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