On Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 28), Issaquah residents and surrounding communities can participate in the annual Issaquah Turkey Trot.
The annual 5K is a casual run, walk or trot through downtown Issaquah. Participants will come together during the Thanksgiving holiday event to raise funds for the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank.
The race will begin at 9 a.m. with the start/finish line on Bush Street, between the food bank and the Issaquah Community Center. The route goes through downtown Issaquah and covers 3.12 miles.
“It’s so great seeing turkey trotters running for the food bank,” said Heather Matthews, Issaquah Turkey Trot founder and event director. “I don’t think this could happen any other time of the year. This holiday is focused on giving and appreciating what we have. It’s a great community event.”
The Issaquah Turkey Trot began in 2010 with only 325 participants. That first year, they raised $4,000 for the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank. The turkey trot now brings in close to 4,000 participants. The goal is to raise $100,000 for the food bank this year. In the past nine years, the Issaquah Turkey Trot has raised more than $380,000 benefiting the programs and services of the food and clothing bank.
“This is to help our Issaquah Food Bank,” Matthews said. “Let’s use this time of year to help donate money for the food bank and really help our neighbors.”
The Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank now partners with Matthews and her family directly in planning and organizing the race.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Issaquah Turkey Trot, Matthews said every participant will receive a commemorative racing bib to wear during the race.
People of all ages are invited to the annual Thanksgiving run. Participants 11 years old and older have a registration fee of $30, which includes a performance t-shirt and bib. Participants 10 years and younger have a fee of $15, which includes a cotton t-shirt, gobble wobble punch card and a prize at the finish line.
To register, go online to www.issaquahturkeytrot.org.
The start/finish line will be on Bush St., between the Issaquah Food and Clothing Banks and the Issaquah Center. The route goes through downtown Issaquah. Photo courtesy of Turkey Trot Facebook
