Go ahead and pile on the pumpkin pie.
It’s a fitting reward following this year’s Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot.
The beloved holiday tradition, now in its ninth year, returns to Battle Point Park Thursday, Nov. 22.
The trot welcomes runners and walkers in 5K and 1-mile events. Race organizers note the courses are mostly flat with gentle inclines and are family and stroller friendly. (Please also note: Dogs and food are not allowed on the turf fields at Battle Point Park.)
Registration is now open at www.biturkeytrot.org. Pre-registration for the trot ends at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19.
On-site registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day and the mile-long event kicks off at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9 a.m.
Can’t make it? Islanders can be a virtual runner by donating to Helpline House on the registration site. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes.
The annual community tradition benefits Helpline House and is organized by Island Fitness. Last year, Helpline received $22,000 thanks to local business sponsors, a small army of volunteers and the nearly 1,000 people who participated in Turkey Trot.
The Turkey Trot has raised nearly $130,000 for Helpline since its inception in 2010.
Turkey Trot proceeds are used for Helpline’s social services programs to help Bainbridge Island residents.
“The Turkey Trot is such a fun holiday tradition for Bainbridge Island,” said Maria Metzler, executive director of Helpline House. “We think it’s wonderful that going out and having a good time on Thanksgiving morning results in Helpline House being able to assist more Island residents with essential needs. We are so appreciative of Island Fitness for organizing this great event.”
Island Fitness, which last year took over as organizing sponsor of the annual Thanksgiving Day event, had some big shoes to fill after Turkey Trot organizers Ann Browning and Jennifer Campbell retired in 2016. But they wanted to carry on the family friendly event, especially because it has benefited Helpline House the past eight years.
Helpline House is a nonprofit agency that provides a range of social services to Bainbridge residents. Founded in 1968 as Fishline, a volunteer emergency aid program, the organization reincorporated as Helpline House in 1973.
Initially, the emergency program addressed basic needs via operating a food bank and providing transportation assistance. Helpline House’s services have grown to include information and referral to local, regional and national resources, as well as case management, short-term counseling, a food bank, medical equipment lending, and limited financial assistance for essential needs.
For more information, visit www.helplinehouse.org.
