St. Joseph residents kick off Thanksgiving with the first annual turkey trot

ST. JOESEPH, Mich. -- While many are preparing their turkey feast for later some residents are kicking off their Thanksgiving with their city’s first ever turkey trot. The streets of St. Joseph will be filled with turkey hats, runners and a few things to be thankful for. They invite the community to gobble up the action and trot for a cause.

St. Vincent De Paul & Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Schools have collaborated to turn this turkey trot into a tradition while raising awareness and helping the less fortunate in their community throughout the year.

Their programs will help relieve emergencies, provide support and encourage self-efficiency so participating in the trot will give the community a chance to contribute a donation while connecting with your community and making some thanksgiving memories

The tent will be set up at 9 A.M. in Margaret B. Upton Arboretum park at the start of the race where runners can sign-up, check-in and pick up their bibs before the race begins.

The runners will enjoy a festive loop through the city to enjoy people in turkey costumes, cowbell marshall’s and a playlist to keep the runners motivated.

They plan to award the top finishers with prizes and a turkey giveaway so there’s plenty to keep runners moving this morning.

Sara Rentz, the Director of the Turkey Trot shares the mission for the event for years to come. “It came about as wanting a huge community event." said Rentz “The slogan was run, walk and gather so it’s just supposed to be a really fun day for everyone to see people that they haven’t seen in a while.”

After over 800 applicants registered and the overwhelming support is safe to say that the turkey trot will be returning as a holiday staple next year for Thanksgiving.