Community Corner

Turkey Trot Attracts 6,000 Runners This Thanksgiving

Annual downtown Walnut Creek event has 1,500 more participants than last year

More than 6,000 runners are expected to hit the streets in downtown Walnut Creek on Thanksgiving morning for the 20th annual Turkey Trot.

This year's event has about 1,500 more participants than last year's race, which raised $60,000 for local schools.

The 5k and 10k races start at 8 a.m. near Civic Park. Both races finish in the park. Several fun runs for children begin at 10 a.m.

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This year, the event, organized by Forma Gym as a way to promote fitness, will benefit the Walnut Creek Education Foundation, the P.E.A.K. Education Foundation, the Wellness City Challenge and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.

“We are proud to be working with our community members and business partners to give back to our schools that desperately need funding to offset repeated/on-going state budget cuts during this economic downturn”, states Bob Boos, dace director for the event. “Physical Education programs in schools have been hit especially hard and with our ever-growing epidemic of childhood obesity, it is critical that we step in and help any way we can to promote physical activity and support the community we live and work in.”

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Race officials say the event enriches education for 10,000 students in Walnut Creek public schools.

Almost 60 percent of race participants are women. More than 1,100 runners were under 18 years old and kids from 20 schools participated.

 


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