Walk, or run, to your nearest fundraiser
There’s a turkey trot coming to every town and city across the country in next few months. Over the course of some 3 or 4 weeks, millions of people will gather at spots where someone in a turkey costume will cheer them on as they leave the starting line for a multi-kilometer fun walk or run.
But lots of other people may be intimidated by such a feat.
Enter, the Turtle Trot.
In the Eagle on Monday, staff writer William Pitts told us about the YWCA’s Turtle Trot 0.5K Run, held on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Alameda Park. It billed itself as “a race for the rest of us,” a “fun run” in every sense of the word.
“It is a 0.5K instead of a 5K,” said Elizabeth Short, executive director of the Butler YWCA. “It's a third of a mile, 1,670 feet. You don’t need to be an athlete to compete in this race.”
The route of the race took runners once around the Odd Fellows Loop at Alameda Park.
According to Short, at least 110 runners signed up to enter the race by 12:30 p.m. Sunday. They did not all start at the same time, as there were eight races spaced apart by 15 minutes.
Someone running at full speed could clear the course in as little as two and a half minutes.
This is a great opportunity to encourage those who may be intimidated by a long turkey trot or similar event to wade into fundraising road races. There may well be one person or more who took part in Sunday’s race who will attempt a longer race one day. They may even make an attempt at the upcoming turkey trot, something they may not have done without Sunday’s event.
We applaud the YWCA and those who took part in the turtle trot, and encourage them to try out another fun run/walk if they’re feeling up to it. The events are good for your health, and they’re good for nonprofit organizations.
— RJ
