Turkey Trot 2009 a success

The Hampstead Kiwanis Park held its second annual Turkey Trot on Saturday. It included an 8K Run, 2-mile Fun Run/Walk and a half mile Kids’ Sprint. More than 300 participants enjoyed a perfect weather day for a race and a day in the park. Peter Vail won the top male prize again as he did in 2008 and 17-year-old Zatha Loewen won overall for the females. The race benefitted paving the park’s new walking trail around the baseball fields. 

Earlier in the week, the t-shirt design winner, Kennedy Gott, was revealed. She is a fourth grade student at Topsail Middle School and lives in Hampstead. Her family, art teacher and school principal were all present for the surprise presentation on the Wednesday before the race. She joined over 100 other local elementary school aged students in submitting a drawing of a running turkey, in hopes of having their design be chosen for the front of the race t-shirt. Her colorful design was a big hit with the runners and has already been seen worn all around town over the weekend.

The races went off without any problems thanks to many volunteers, sponsors and participants before, during and after the race. Boy Scout Daniel Frazier worked very hard in previous weeks to finish his Eagle Scout project which was an important bridge that linked two portions of the fitness trail used in both the 2-mile fun run and kids’ sprint events. Sponsors donated items and coupons for goody bags for the racers, food for post-race snacks, gift certificates for prizes and funding for race expenses. There were turkey crafts and a playground available for the kids to keep busy between races and fortunately the weather cooperated allowing some fields to dry up in time for the race. Volunteers helped with registration, parking, traffic control and clean-up.

“It was wonderful seeing the community come together for such a fun event and even better to see all of the happy participants,” said Heather Williams, club secretary. 

Some local moms, led by Rebecca Moxey, helped several young girls learn how to train for and compete together in their first two mile run. Their ages ranged from seven to 10 years old. They would meet after school and use the actual racecourse for practice. They designed a team shirt “What Would the Turkey Do?” and supported each other throughout the race. They were all smiles after the race and clearly recognized the benefit of exercise and socializing together.

Though this year’s race is over, race director Dale DePue is already planning for next year. If all goes well, the race aims to be part of two race series’ next year: the Grand Prix at Camp LeJeune MCCS and Try Sports in Wilmington. So get those walking and running shoes ready for Turkey Trot 2010 on Saturday, November 20.

“Two things we would like to add to the race next year are team prizes and a pasta dinner the night before the race,” says DePue, trying to encourage more teams to train and race together like Moxey’s team.

We have received some generous donations for the park’s trail including some sponsors of fitness stations. Lowe’s may be installing their first one this weekend. For more information on the trail, please see our park’s website www.HampsteadKiwanisPark.com. A link can be found there to our Picasa photo albums including all of our race pictures. Feel free to e-mail us any pictures you would like to add to the album from your race experience.

The Kiwanis Club of Hampstead would love to get more members of the community involved in all of our club activities. We are a growing and active club with a wide variety of members and activities in this fine community. The club sponsors children’s programs in each of the local schools educating them on leadership, moral character and community activism. Other community projects include providing gifts to families in need at Christmas, hosting the Easter Egg Hunt and Golf tournament in the spring and more recently the Halloween Trick-or-Treat in the park.  If you would like to learn more, please join us at our breakfast meeting at the Sawmill Grill every Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. (not on holidays) or contact Heather Williams at (910) 520-7235 or kiwanisclubofhampsteadnc@gmail.com.

Submitted by Dale DePue