AEDC Turkey Trot returning to Arnold AFB for 37th helping

  • Published
  • By Bradley Hicks
  • AEDC Public Affairs

The recipe is simple.

Mix a dash of fitness, a smidgen of fellowship and a splash of fun. The result is a pre-Thanksgiving festivity enjoyed by many at Arnold Air Force Base over the years.

The 37th annual Arnold Engineering Development Complex Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run at Arnold will take place Nov. 9 beginning at 4 p.m. at the Arnold Lakeside Complex, or ALC, after the playing of “Retreat.” The Company Grade Officers’ Council at Arnold is hosting the event.

“Getting together to support one another around the holidays is a great tradition here at Arnold Air Force Base, and we are so glad we can continue to be a part of it after 37 years,” said 2nd Lt. Camden Dammeyer, a CGOC member.

Turkey Trot registration will be Oct. 26-28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day in CafĂ© 100. Those interested may also register by calling 931-454-4301 or by email at arnoldcgocturkeytrot@gmail.com by 1 p.m. on Oct. 28.

The event is open to military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, contractors and their family members in accordance with company policy and supervisor approval.

“We are excited to have as many people as possible show up to enjoy the run with their families,” Dammeyer said. “May the fastest turkey win!”

Participation in the Turkey Trot is free with the donation of a nonperishable food item at the time of registration or on the day of the race. Donations collected by the CGOC will be provided to a local food bank.

For those wishing to get their hands on a commemorative 2022 AEDC Turkey Trot T-shirt, the entry fee is $11 plus the donation of a food item.

Participants may also register at the ALC on the day of the race, but Turkey Trot T-shirts will not be guaranteed to day-of registrants.

Those registering in advance via phone or email and wishing to receive a T-shirt may pay the $11 at the race or arrange payment through Venmo by contacting the phone number above.

As it has since its move to the ALC several years ago, the 5K route will take runners from the front of the ALC to a path that leads to the back of the building and along Woods Reservoir. The route will then take runners through the Arnold Village community and back to the ALC. Runners will complete this loop twice to finish the race.

Cones and markers will be set up and volunteers will be present to help guide the runners.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three male and top three female 5K finishers. A Turkey Trot tradition will live on, as the top male runner and top female runner will each receive a frozen turkey to take home ahead of Thanksgiving.

Those looking to get out and enjoy the autumn air and fall colors at a more leisurely pace  have the option of traversing the Turkey Trot loop by taking part in the 2.5K walk. Anyone interested in doing so may indicate this at the time of registration.

A tradition that started a few years back will also continue this year, as the ALC will open following the conclusion of the Turkey Trot for participants to gather and socialize.

The Turkey Trot will be held rain or shine.

Disclaimer: The CGOC is a private organization which is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and has no governmental status.