33rd Annual Arnold AFB Turkey Trot set for Nov. 16

  • Published
  • By Bradley Hicks
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Last year, a pre-Thanksgiving tradition returned to Arnold Air Force Base.

Now, it’s time for a second helping.

The 33rd annual AEDC Turkey Trot is set for Nov. 16 beginning at 2:30 p.m. in front of the Administration & Engineering Building. Check-in for the race will begin at 2 p.m.

The 5K, or approximately 3.1-mile run, will take participants around the loop in front of the A&E Building, onto the base Fitness Trail and back to the A&E Building.

“The cool thing about the Turkey Trot is that it is a race where it is more about fun and just being with the people you enjoy and your family rather than being ultra-competitive,” said first-time event organizer 1st Lt. Johnathan Gutierrez, test manager for the Flight Combined Test Force at Arnold AFB. “And it’s only a 5K, so it’s just the right amount of running – not so long to be excruciating and short enough for people to fast-walk if they want to. Not to mention the Arnold Fitness Trail is a beautiful running trail. We are pretty lucky to have something like that right here on base.”

The AEDC Turkey Trot was a decades-long tradition at Arnold, with the event taking place annually in the weeks or days leading up to Thanksgiving. The gathering of runners has been hosted over the years by the Arnold AFB Company Grade Officers’ Council and, in its early days, proceeds from the entrance fee were used to purchase holiday turkeys for underprivileged families in the area.

The first AEDC Turkey Trot was held in 1985. But, for the first time in more than 30 years, an official Turkey Trot was not held at Arnold in 2016. This, however, did not stop a group of more than a dozen folks from getting together to hold an unsanctioned, ad hoc Turkey Trot.

Last year, the CGOC again hosted an official Turkey Trot at Arnold. The event, which saw nearly five dozen registered participants, not only served to bring civilian contractors, government employees and military members across Arnold together for a little fun and fellowship, it also benefited area families, as runners were asked to bring a canned food item for donation.

Like last year’s event, the 2018 Turkey Trot will help needy families in the area, as participants are again asked to bring a canned food item. The food collected will be donated to a local food bank.

DOD employees, military members and contractors at Arnold AFB are invited to take part in the 2018 Turkey Trot in accordance with company policy and supervisor approval. The entry fee is $10 and the non-perishable food donation. Runners registering by Nov. 7 will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Refreshments will be made available to runners during the event.
Those wishing to register for the 2018 Turkey Trot may contact Arnold AFB CGOC members at 454-7809, 454-6095, 454-5932, 454-3285, 454-4631 or 454-7131.

Participants can also register the day of the event by bringing the $10 entry fee and a canned food item to the check-in table located in front of the Administration & Engineering Building, but those waiting to register may not receive an event T-shirt.