Hey, The Gorge: Turkey Trot looks hot for Thanksgiving
The Second Annual Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk Family Fun Run in The Dalles is a great way to get your Thanksgiving started. Last year 200 people participated. See above. This year, all proceeds will go toward the TD Backpack program and then those dollars will be matched by Columbia Gorge Motors up to $5k.
By Tom Peterson
Great Photos of 2021 Trot all by Kathy Pothier
It’s time to talk some turkey.
You want to walk the walk?
Ok.
Rather run than talk?
Fine.
Want to help pack some backpacks with nutritious food for local students and their families who are finding the cupboards bare?
Then you gotta Trot, like big-time Butterball Turkey style.
Like mouth-full-of-gravy-bean-casserole kitchen dance ‘till you break your pants, style.
And it’s on like Donkey Kong at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24.
Otherwise known as Thanksgiving.
The second annual Turkey Trot Benefit Run will be held at Lewis & Clark Festival Park near the Union Street underpass in The Dalles. It’s a 5k run/walk family fun run. No pressure, yo.
So, lace up those shoes, people.
Because this year is extra special, not like that cylinder of cranberry that comes out of a tin can and wobbles on a plate when you take it to the table.
No, this one is a special effort to raise money for The Dalles Backpack Program.
Columbia Gorge Motors - Honda, Toyota - is going to match - dollar for dollar - everything the Turkey Trot brings in this year.
“We’re really trying to push participation,” said Columbia Motor’s Rachel Carter, noting 200 showed up at the inaugural run last year. “Because this is a great cause.”
Columbia Gorge Motors will match every dollar brought in up to $5,000.
Potential? $10,000 for the backpack program.
That’s a lot of apples.
“Lately, we’ve been working with the food bank, and we were looking for a cause that dealt with hunger that specifically helped kids,” Carter said. “It turned out this program has had a big increase, sending some 150 bags of food home with kids each week.”
“So, the backpack program impacts a lot of kids,” she said. “We just want to leverage the most help we can.”
Want to make the fun run more fun?
Then, don’t forget Fido.
Dogs are welcome.
Debbie Hendrickx of Swell Gelato in the Port of The Dalles will be offering free treats for the K-9 trotters.
So, Rachel do you run?
“I do run,” she said. “But not in this event because I am too busy working.”
However, Rachel let it slip that she had completed a half-marathon.
And well, she also let it slip that she signed up for a whole marathon- 26.2 miles worth - this coming June in Missoula. She’ll be running with her husband Aaron, who manages Columbia Gorge Motors.
And once a goal is in print, there’s no going back. See you at Festival Park. And we look forward to that finish in Missoula - Tom Peterson :)
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