We all know the coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of things in 2020 and Thanksgiving will be no different. However, one Grand Rapids tradition will remain. But it too will adapt to these new times.
Normally the saying goes, “use your feet before you eat”, but with the 28th annual Grand Rapids Turkey Trot going virtual this year you can walk or run whenever you want.
“Like many different events that have been affected by COVID, we are running the Turkey Trot virtually this year, which offers every participant an opportunity to take their stroll to use their fee before they eat on Thanksgiving Day whenever it’s most convenient for them.”
That’s Jessica Iloff, Manage of Community Responsibility for Blue Care Network which sponsors the event. More than 15 hundred people have signed up so far. Those who register will still get their running bib, plus a mask and the 2020 Turkey Trot t shirt, which Iloff says many people look forward to.
“I know so many people have participated in this, especially families look forward every year to getting their Grand Rapids Turkey Trot shirt and they have a whole collection of them”
But the biggest part of the Turkey Trot is the reason behind it. Proceeds will benefit K-12 athletics in the Grand Rapids Public School District, offsetting pay to play costs so all children have a chance to participate.
“Right now, you know all these kids, their lives are in limbo, they’re not in school, they can’t see their friends, so, to actually keep this kind of momentum going when they are able to participate back in those activities, it’s just so important.”
The 2019 Grand Rapids Turkey Trot raised more than 110thousand dollars. Runners and walkers can sign up at grps.org/athletics-turkeytrot or on sign-up.com and complete their walk or run anytime before 11:59 on Thanksgiving night.
