ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Members of the Arnold Air Force Base community are making plans to come together for one of the base’s favorite Thanksgiving traditions - the annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run held by the Company Grade Officers Council, or CGOC.
This will mark the 39th year for the event that will kick off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Arnold Lakeside Complex, or ALC, at Arnold Air Force Base.
Participants will take in the scenes of fall foliage and area wildlife as they walk or run the scenic trails along the lakeside center. The route will also be guided by cones, markers and volunteers and will loop through the Arnold Village community and back to the ALC.
Traditionally taking place during the week, this year’s event will be taking place during the weekend which, according to event organizer 2nd Lt. Garrett Thompson, allows both base personnel and their families to participate.
“We decided to hold the fun run on a Saturday this year because of the improved availability,” Thompson explained. “In my previous two years of participating in the Turkey Trot, the run was held during the work week and in the late afternoon, which made it difficult for some people to attend due to work commitments. Additionally, holding the event after daylight saving time left us with a limited window to hold the race before it got dark. By moving the event to a Saturday morning, we're hoping to open up the opportunity for more people to join in, especially with their families.”
Now in his second year as organizer, Thompson said he looks forward to seeing additional members of the Arnold AFB community participate in this holiday tradition.
“I'm most looking forward to seeing new people participate, as well as familiar faces, in this year's Turkey Trot. Having the run on a Saturday morning will spark some energy that fuels the rest of the weekend, especially for those who will be leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday shortly after,” he stated.
According to Thompson, for every participant in the Turkey Trot, the GGOC will donate $10 to the base-organized Project Christmas event. This charitable initiative provides Christmas gifts to children in the local community, spreading holiday cheer and support to those in need. He also added that he enjoys that the annual event not only brings the Arnold AFB personnel together but also helps promote a worthy cause.
“We have two main goals for the Turkey Trot,” Thompson explained. “First, we want to host a traditional annual event that involves the AEDC (Arnold Engineering Development Complex) community and encourages people to be physically active for a great cause. Second, we aim to give back to the community we live in. With the assistance of the Arnold Community Council and other community partners, the CGOC has been fortunate enough to benefit from fundraising, and we'd like to give back to those in need.”
No registration is required. The race is open to military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, contractors and their families in accordance with company policy and supervisor approval.
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.