Thanksgiving Morning Turkey Trot Draws Local Runners to FishHawk

The Fourth Annual FishHawk Turkey Trot gets under way Thanksgiving Day morning in the Publix-anchored shopping center at 5642 FishHawk Crossing Blvd. in Lithia.

Amanda Bentson, 22, who grew up in the Greater Brandon area of Valrico, said she is ready to run with family members, in what has become for them a Thanksgiving Day ritual.

"It's a tradition in our family because my mother runs and ran a marathon and we like to incorporate health and wellness into our routine," said Bentson, a student at the University of South Florida.

"My mother works with people who have disabilities, so we're thankful, too, that we have the phyical ability to run," Bentson added. "It's like we're giving thanks to God that we have that ability."

The turkey trot over the years has grown into a formidable regional event, with some 2,000 runners and walkers in attendance last year.

A similarly sized crowd is expected this year as well.

“There’s no other race that says ‘family fun’ like our FishHawk Turkey Trot," race founder and director Leda Eaton is quoted as saying. "There is a spirit around the turkey trot that permeates everything we do. Everyone comes and leaves smiling and with all the proceeds going to our local food bank, it’s a perfect fit for a Thanksgiving Day cause we can all support.”

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Donate to Seeds of Hope / Feeding America Tampa Bay

Seeds of Hope, founded through the FishHawk Turkey Trot, is now partnered with Feeding America Tampa Bay.

Proceeds form the race benefit this endeavor.

Donations are accepted online.

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FishHawk Turkey Trot Particulars

• Final race registration is from 6:30 to 7:45 a.m.

• The 5k race begins at 8 a.m., followed by the 9 a.m. Kids Fun Run (1 mile or one-quarter mile).

• The cost is $25 for the 5k race and $10 for the Kids Fun Run. Proceeds benefit Seeds of Hope, in partnershp with Feeding America Tampa Bay.

• The "famous turkey mascot" will be available for photo opportunities.

• The course starts at the Publix, then "follows the main road into FishHawk Ranch staying on Fishhawk Crossing Boulevard going to the right of the first rotary in front of Tern Wood and continuing across Dorman Road." Then, "the course goes past Park Square and to the second rotary by the Aquatic Club, where it goes straight onto Osprey Drive, looping about two-thirds of the way down (before Sora Trace) and heading back on the opposite side of the same road."

• A course map is posted online.

"It's very much an enjoyable run," Bentson said. "It cuts through FishHawk, which is a very pretty area, so it doesn't seem very long. A lot of people walk it and there's lots of age groups."

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The History Of The FishHawk Turkey Trot
(Excerpts from the FishHawk Turkey Trot Web site)

The FishHawk Turkey Trot began in 2009 with a mission to provide meaningful community service hours for high school students and provide food to people in need. The race was organized in two months with the hopes of attracting 100 area runners.  In reality, 450 people participated and with that the FishHawk Turkey Trot was literally off and running.  

The 2010 FishHawk Turkey Trot became the largest road race in the Lithia area with over 1,400 participants.  Since then, great things have happened. In September 2011, Seeds of Hope Community Food Bank was created and distributes food weekly.  The food bank is 100% funded by the proceeds from the FishHawk Turkey Trot.  In addition, area students have received over 1,200 meaningful community service hours. And beyond the numbers, the FishHawk Turkey Trot has touched the lives of people who need help as well as local students who have become extraordinary volunteers.

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Not only does the Turkey Trot fulfill the mission of providing community service hours to students (students have earned more than 1,200 service hours through the event), but it now has a new mission.

With proceeds from the race, Eaton founded the Seeds of Hope Food Pantry, which provides food and other items to needy families in Lithia. 

The food bank previously operated out of the Lamb of God Lutheran Church but has outgrown the space and is now seeking a new home. It currently serves 269 people.

"One hundred percent of the Turkey Trot proceeds go to the food pantry," said Eaton, noting that last year's race raised $20,000. "Seeds of Hope is one of the only food banks that doesn't struggle with how it's going to pay for the food."

Seeds of Hope is able to purchase food for 19 cents a pound through a partnership with Feeding America Tampa Bay.

"There is a spirit around the Turkey Trot that permeates everything we do," said Eaton. "Everyone comes and leaves smiling and, with all the proceeds going to our local food bank, it’s a perfect fit for a Thanksgiving Day cause we can all support.”

Residents interested in participating can preregister by going online.

Registration for the Nov. 22 event begins at 6:30 a.m.

The 5K run begins at 8 a.m. Registration is $25.

The fun run is a 9 a.m. Registration is $10.

Download the registration form and bring it in or mail it to: FishHawk YMCA Express, 16144 Churchview Dr., Suite 201, Lithia FL 33547.