To Be Live & Virtual This Thanksgiving
By: HEIDI SYPOLT News and Journal Staff Writer
When most of the leaves have fallen and all of the
Halloween candy has been given out, local thoughts turn
to the Shinnston Turkey Trot. Originated in 2009 with
around 55 runners, the Turkey Trot has become an annual
event allowing those who join in to work up an appetite
for Thanksgiving Dinner while raising funds for the non-
profit Marie Gaston 4-H Scholarship Fund. This fund
benefits the youth of Harrison County and the state of
West Virginia through the historic Jackson’s Mill State 4-
H Camp in Jane Lew, WV. This camp was the first
statewide 4-H camp in the nation, and continues to serve
thousands of 4-H’ers every summer. More information
about this camp and its history is available at
https://jacksonsmill.wvu.edu.
In the past several years, over a thousand competitors
ranging in age from 2 years through adulthood have
participated in the Turkey Trot’s friendly competition
each year. However, last year brought the challenge of
competing within the Covid-19 health guidelines and a
new opportunity to participate virtually. This resulted in a
decrease in the number of participants, but widened the
range to include the entire continental United States, even
from as far away as California. Thankfully this year, the
Turkey Trot can be completed both in person and
virtually. Virtual participants can run or walk at any time
and from any location. Their race times are not officially
recorded and they participate more for a sense of
comradery. Race packets and tee shirts will be mailed to
virtual racers only.
The 2021 Turkey Trot has also brought a new sponsor,
Healthy Harrison, on board. This coalition has a vision to
“measurably improve the health and wellness of the
citizens of Harrison County” categorized around five
health pillars of Move, Mind, Eat, Connect and Purpose.
According to their Facebook page, Healthy Harrison, their
vision is “to measurably improve the health and wellness
of the citizens in Harrison County. They hope to
“motivate, educate and inspire the community to begin
taking micro-steps towards a healthier lifestyle”. More
information about this sponsor is also available at
healthyharrison.org. A complete list of all Turkey Trot
sponsors is available online and is also printed on the back
of each tee shirt.
Registration for the Turkey Trot has already begun and
can be completed online at ShinnstonTurkeyTrot.com up
until Monday, November 22
nd.
. While online registration
is encouraged, runners can still register Monday,
November 22
nd,
through Wednesday, November 24th at
Jimmy’s Diner at 1121 Hood Ave. in Shinnston. Pre-
registered, in-person participants can pick up their tee
shirts and goody bags at Jimmy’s Diner on Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings from 5-8 pm. Last minute
participants can still register even on Thursday morning
near the starting line. To be guaranteed a tee shirt,
participants should register by Monday, October 25
th
. The
entry fee is $20 until the morning of the race; however, on
Thanksgiving morning, the fee will increase to $25.
Those taking part in the Turkey Trot begin to gather
around 7:00 am near the starting line in the parking lot of
United Central Industrial Supply, 345 South Pike Street,
where a festival-like atmosphere reigns with snacks,
drinks, face painting, prizes, giveaways and an appearance
by Santa Claus. All of these events are free to runners and
the general public alike. Music is provided by three
different DJ’s set up along the race route, to motivate
everyone to keep the pace and finish the race.
Promptly at 8:50 am, the Gobble Wobble (100-yard
dash) for children in age groups 2-4 years, 5-7 years and
8-10 years begins. Each child participating will receive a
goodie bag. Following the Gobble Wobble, the adult 5K
(3.1 mile) race begins exactly at 9:00 am. There are two
routes for the 5K run/walk allowing everyone the
opportunity to finish. If the entrant can complete the 5K in
45 minutes or less, then the route up Pike Street (Route
19) is the option. If the route cannot be finished in 45
minutes, then participants are encouraged to use the route
along the Rail Trail. Both routes begin on Pike Street and
continue through town, where at the end of the bridge, the
participants using the Rail Trail will turn left and join the
Rail Trail beneath the bridge and the other participants
will continue on Route 19 across the bridge and to the
entrance of Big Elm Elementary. The top 3 fastest men
and women race finishers will each receive a medal and a
gift certificate from an area business. Medals will also be
awarded to the top 3 finishers in each of nine age brackets,
giving all ages an even incentive and chance to succeed.
Team competition is also encouraged with a Turkey Cup
trophy filled with prizes from area businesses being
awarded to the biggest team. Prizes for Funniest Team
Name and Most Original Team Name, among others, are
awarded as well.
With Thanksgiving being a popular family holiday and
many people gathering from outlying areas, this event
brings a wonderful opportunity for residents, former
residents and friends to gather and participate in a fun and
family friendly event before the hustle and bustle of the
winter holidays begin. Many folks who have moved away
use this as a sort of homecoming to reconnect and catch
up with old friends and schoolmates. So, consider this
your official invitation to come and join the festivities this
Thanksgiving morning.
Cutline: Pic. No 1
At 7:00 am on Thanksgiving morning, hundreds of
runners and walkers will gather in Shinnston where a
festival-like atmosphere reigns with snacks, drinks,
face painting, prizes, and giveaways.
