Turkey Trotters ran with turkey hats, costumes, rain jackets, and ponchos at this year’s Arlington Turkey Trot
ARLINGTON, Va. — Thursday morning’s rain did not slow anyone down at the 19th Arlington Turkey Trot, especially not 10-year-old Jack Gropper, who ran with his dad Adam.
“I kind of left them behind,” said Jack.
“My son is much faster than me and I slowed him down, but he motivated me at the end and said, ‘Come on dad we have to sprint!’ Then we did, so thanks to him, we finished,” said Adam.
Despite the rain, the Thanksgiving tradition still had a great turnout. Thousands filled the street. People wore turkey costumes and hats along with their rain jackets.
The event is put on every year by the Christ Church of Arlington. Race director Courtney Weber said even though some people may have stayed home because of the rain, tickets sold out for the 5K, so the church still met its fundraising goal for the 18 local nonprofits the race benefits.
“We bring the community together and we raise about $250,000 for these local charities which is great. So this is the race for Arlington, by Arlington,” said Weber.
The 5k route started and finished in the Lyons Park neighborhood at the intersection of N. Pershing Dr. and Fillmore St. and ran through Ashton Heights. Roads were closed for the race, but have since reopened.
Next year will be the 20th Arlington Turkey Trot, so Weber said she hopes it will be even bigger and better.Â
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