Over 700 runners turn up for annual Turkey Trot in Jackson
JACKSON, Tenn. — An annual event has West Tennesseans burning calories for a good cause before the Thanksgiving feast.
Golds Gym and Fleet Feet hosted the 19th Annual Turkey Trot Thursday morning.
Runners lined up in front of Gold’s Gym to compete in a 5K run before the holiday festivities begin.
There were 734 participants this year, making this one of the biggest turnouts since 2019.
“The turnout was absolutely incredible,” said Mike Hicks, Senior General Manager at Gold’s Gym. “This community has showed up and showed out for us. Not only did we have more participants this year than we could have even imagined, the response to our food baskets and their giving to RIFA has just really overwhelmed us and warmed our hearts.”
Crossing the finish line in first place was sixteen-year-old Nathan Smith.
“Yeah, it feels good, I got third last year, so it’s good to get the win, and I get a pie,” Smith said. “I love running, and you know, it’s just good to be around people who also love the sport.”
First time runner and first place female, coming in at 17 minutes and 44 seconds, is 19-year-old Brook Reif.
“I came in knowing what I can do, I just didn’t know what else everybody else would be able to do, so I went out there and ran with some of the guys and it worked out,” Reif said.
When asked about plans after the race, runners say:
“Just gonna eat at home with my family, yep, gonna have my nana over,” Smith said.
“Dinner with family, spend time with everybody,” Reif added.
They came, they ran, now they feast.
All proceeds raised for the run go to RIFA to help fight hunger in West Tennessee.
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