Work Up your Thanksgiving
Appetite with a Run
More than 1,200 runners are expected to participate in this year's Thanksgiving
Cross Country Classic, a 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) race that is held each Thanksgiving
Day at Reid Park. The family-friendly event includes a 1.5 mile fun run at
8 a.m., a women's 5K at 8:30 a.m., and a men's 5K at 9:15 a.m.
"The event is unique in that we offer a European-style cross country
course, involving hay bales and water pits to jump over," said Sharon
Bart, coordinator of the event and owner of the Running Shop. "You'll
always see a few people purposely jumping with both feet at the same time
into the water jump to see how high they can splash! Who says adults can't
play in mud?"
The course is a looped course, making it very spectator friendly. In addition to the races, there are many festivities. "With DJ Rich there, you can count on great music, dancing and goofy contests while waiting for the awards ceremony and in between events," said Bart.
The race will benefit Toys for Tots. Participants are encouraged to make
a donation of a new, unwrapped toy on race day.
"Collection boxes are available at the event and are filled a few times over," Bart said. "The Marine Corp so appreciates our support of Toys for Tots that you always see a contingency there supporting and running the event."
This year's event will be dedicated to Johnny Pena, brother of the race's
co-director, Martin Pena. Each year, Johnny volunteered at the race by monitoring
the water jump, marking and painting the course and in many other ways. Johnny
died earlier this year in a motorcycle accident.
The entry fee for runners is $16. You can also register on race day for $20.
For more information about
registration, visit www.azroadrunners.org or stop by the Running Shop at
3055 N. Campbell.
© 2008 Good News Tucson™
