Race participants gobbled up miles of fun at the Department of Sports and Recreation’s Turkey Trot 5K while supporting KSU CARES Program.
Walkers and runners laced up their sneakers to compete in the Kennesaw State Department of Recreation’s 49th annual Turkey Trot 5K event on Nov. 10 at The Perch.
The Department of Sports and Recreation hosts this event each year at The Perch around Thanksgiving for students and the KSU community.
Despite the unexpected chilly weather, there were 285 runners total this year, surpassing last year’s registration numbers. Participants could sign up to run the race in person or virtually.
According to Brittany Booth, Assistant Director for Sports and Recreation, events like the Turkey Trot help encourage and provide students with the opportunity to develop or enhance a healthy lifestyle in both a fun and supportive environment.
“If you’re thinking about trying it, just give it a shot,” Mechanical Engineering student Zarron Mitchell said. “Don’t feel nervous about it. Everybody here just seems very supportive.”
The event was free for students to participate in, but they were not the only ones who showed up. KSU staff and other community members signed up to run the race as well.
Biology professor Cameron Trinh kept his students in mind as he crossed the finish line, winning first place overall in the 5K.
“I told my students that they should come out and support an event like this for extra credit. So, I had to show up and I had to beat them,” Trinh said.
Students can prepare for the annual Daffodil Dash 5K in April if they did not have the opportunity to attend this year’s Turkey Trot.
For this race, the Department of Sports and Recreation worked with the university’s Campus Awareness, Resource & Empowerment program. KSU CARES is a campus-based organization that helps provide support to students who are facing food or housing insecurities.
According to the KSU CARES website, their mission is to “provide access to food, temporary housing, and other supportive services to foster students’ realization of a healthy, stable, and dignified life academically and professionally.”
Located on the first floor of the Carmichael Student Center, KSU CARES offers a donation-based food pantry for students in need. Students may visit the pantry every two weeks to pick up groceries and other necessities for free.
KSU CARES accepted non-perishable food donations at the Turkey Trot to help students who are experiencing food insecurity. Race participants who brought food donations received a prize drawing ticket for each item they donated.
“Come out for next year. It’ll be the 50th annual turkey trot. I will be present. I will continue to give out extra credit, especially if you beat me,” Trinh said. “Good luck!”
Click here for more information about the CARES program and how to help.
