I’ll never forget the first race I ran during St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. It was memorable because my family flew to Memphis with me to support my first half marathon and my kids ended up running and earning a larger race medal than I did! They’ve also been inspired to support charitable causes ever since. Every December I run a half marathon in Memphis as a St. Jude Hero but there are many other ways to support kids locally, including the Annual Turkey Chase Charity Race.
About the 41st Annual Turkey Chase Charity Race
This year marks the 41st Annual Turkey Chase Charity Race hosted by the YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rotary. Held on Thanksgiving morning, Turkey Chase Charity Race is an annual tradition where participants raise money to support local children’s programs. Millions of dollars have been raised by participants to ensure kids of all backgrounds can:
- Have a place to go before and after school
- Access programs where they can connect with friends
- Be included in activities that keep both their bodies and minds active and engaged
I love that the Turkey Chase Race offers so many options to walk, run, bike, or swim in person or virtually.
Why You Should Register Even if You’ve Never Run a Race
If you’ve never run a race before, the Annual Turkey Chase Charity Race is a great place to start! Not only are there very manageable distances for all fitness levels and ages but this year, the YMCA is offering a training program to help get anyone off the couch and running their first 10k.
And don’t forget to include your kids when you register because The Turkey Chase is a great way for kids to learn about giving back too! My husband and kids loved running the last mile of the Kids Marathon during St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. Not only did they get the joy of crossing the finish line and earning a medal, but they got to enjoy the endorphins that come from physical fitness that are beneficial to their mental health.
There’s no doubt that kids are struggling with stress, isolation, and sedentary habits and it’s important to combat this increasing trend to prevent long-term consequences. I’ve seen how physical, mental, and social health influence one another in my own kids and my former students so providing all children with access to safe places to learn and play is important. Signing up for the Annual Turkey Chase Charity Race provides positive ways to connect with friends and family while supporting activities and programs that help kids grow and thrive.
I know firsthand the benefits of being part of a charity run. Not only do I love the rush of endorphins I get from exercise, but I get a big social boost from group activities, and doing something for charity makes my soul so happy. It’s a win/win/win no matter how fast you run or what place you finish!
Even if you’re not a runner, joining a big community event on Thanksgiving Day reminds us of everything we have to be thankful for, and the importance of giving back. Register your whole family to run and get ready to give on Thanksgiving!
Register for the Annual Turkey Chase Charity Race Below!
Register for the 41st Annual Turkey Chase Charity Race before October 1 and take advantage of discounted registration of $45 for all races except the 10K in-person run ($50).
The YMCA provided a Family Membership for my family in exchange for this post. All opinions are my own and photos are courtesy of YMCA DC.
