ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- This year marks the 34th year of the AEDC Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run at Arnold Air Force Base.
Runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels are invited to join in the fun Nov. 15 at the Arnold Lakeside Center.
Capt. Johnathan Gutierrez, with the Company Grade Officers Council, is once again heading up the event.
In a change from years past, the run this year will be held on the running trail at base housing. Run-day registration will begin at 2:30 p.m. at the ALC, with the run starting at approximately 3 p.m.
“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what kind of turnout we get this year,” Gutierrez said. “Last year was a great year, lots of people came out and the weather was wonderful. We are hoping to get even more folks and their families out this year.
“By hosting at Arnold Village, we will get the joy of running with Woods Reservoir in the background. Also, base housing has playgrounds for people and their kids who want to come out and support the event, but maybe not run or walk. And to boot, we have the luxury of finishing the race and stopping into the ALC for a post-run social hour.”
It is free to sign-up and run. As part of the event, the CGOC is collecting donations of nonperishable food items at sign-up or on race day. All donations collected by the CGOC will be taken to the Good Samaritan Food Bank in Tullahoma.
This time of year is when people are reminded to be thankful for what they have, and Gutierrez mentioned it’s also nice to be able to give back to the community and help those who are less fortunate.
“Collecting food and donating it is something we started a while back as part of the Turkey Trot here at AEDC, and we have carried on the tradition ever since,” he said. “I know that Good Samaritan is always very grateful for the donations that our runners make. Although it is just a small piece of all the great charity work that I have seen come from AEDC, doing every little bit more for the local community during the holiday season hopefully can really help make a difference in peoples’ lives.”
The race is open to military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, contractors and their families to attend in accordance with company policy and supervisor approval. To sign-up now, see one of the Arnold CGOC members or call 931-454-7809. The CGOC will be hosting sign-ups in Café 100 at the A&E Building Nov. 5-7, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
For those wanting a commemorative T-shirt, the entry fee to participate in the race is $10.
Deadline for early registration is Nov. 7. People are welcome to sign-up and run day-of the race, but T-shirts are not guaranteed to day-of registrants.
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.