
If you are from the Quad Cities, it’s kind of an unspoken law that you can’t enjoy your Thanksgiving feast until you’ve earned it. And lucky for us the Scott County YMCA hosts their annual YMCA McCarthy Bush Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning so we can feel guilt free when we grab our third helping of turkey later that day.
Celebrating it’s 33rd annual event, Bettendorf Family YMCA Branch Executive Director and Turkey Trot Race Director, Luis Leal explains just how important the race is for the YMCA and the community. “All the proceeds of the event go back into the community by way of scholarships for swim lessons, Camp Abe Lincoln, day care and many more programs,” said Leal. “This is our 33rd annual race and in that time, we have raised over $1.9 million dollars that have gone back into the community just from the Turkey Trot Race.”
With a 5k, 5-mile, 1 mile and Lil Turkey run offered this year as in year’s past, a pre-race ZUMBA warm up party at 7:45am sponsored by Azteca Restaurants will be added to the list to help warm up runners race morning. In addition to that as part of the Turkey Trot, the YMCA is sponsoring local student athletes that want to run the race. They can email Leal at [email protected] answering a few questions about running and community service.
Predicting the weather on a race day in the fall can be nerve wrecking but Leal is confident that whatever Mother Nature decides to do that morning, the YMCA and the community will be ready for. “The response is greater than last year,” explained Leal. “However, it always comes down to the last week depending on the weather forecast. That being said, it’s such a great family and community tradition that good or bad weather, people still come out and support the cause.”
For more information and to register visit, https://www.scottcountyfamilyy.org/programs-activities/community-events/
2019 Turkey Trot-
Schedule of Events/Packet Pick Up
Packet Pick up: TBD until 7 pm Packet Pick-up & Registration
at the Downtown Davenport YMCA
Race Day Packet Pick-up and Registration: Thursday, November 28th at the Downtown Davenport YMCA
Registration and pick-up ends at 8am
FREE Child Watch (for participating families) 8-11am
L’il Turkey Dash (ages 2-10)
2-5 year olds 200m
6-10 year olds 400m
Iowa American Water 1-mile Family Fun Run/Walk
8:30 race begins – no chip timing
Unity Point Health 5 Mile Run/Walk
Rhythm City Casino 5K Run/Walk
Both races begin at 9am
Child watch available
THE FINISH
The race finishes on West 2nd Street, Downtown Davenport – in front of the Davenport Family YMCA
Free refreshments are available in a heated tent in the Davenport YMCA parking lot
Race Results will be posted at theendresultco.com