The 10th Annual Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot – An Island Tradition!
Build up an appetite for that Thanksgiving feast! Runners and walkers of all ages start the day right with a community fun run that supports local families in need through the event beneficiary, Helpline House.
The run takes place on Thanksgiving morning in Battle Point Park—the 1-mile race begins at 8:30am, and the 5k begins at 9am. The courses are mostly flat with gentle inclines and are family and stroller friendly (dogs are not allowed on the turf fields at Battle Point Park).
In 2010, Ann Browning and Jen Campbell approached Alexa and Michael Rosenthal at Island Fitness with a great idea: let’s do a Turkey Trot. Both ladies had done these runs before, and we’re aware that Island Fitness had sponsored other runs in the past, so they thought putting a similar event together for the benefit of one of the Island’s most important non-profits would be a great way to raise money, get exercise, and generally have fun. Alexa and Michael agreed, and the Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot was born.
With sponsorship and support from Island Fitness, Ann and Jen spent the next seven years building the event and getting it off the ground, growing it from a few hundred participants to over a thousand. In 2016, Ann and Jen turned the reigns over to Michael and Alexa at Island Fitness, along with their professional trainer, Brenda Prickett, who has done a wonderful job of leading the organizational aspects of the event. The current planning committee includes Island Fitness staff, as well as staff from Helpline House and other non-profit organizations on the island.
Regardless of the weather—be it rain, snow, fog or sunshine—the organizers, runners, and a small army of volunteers have raised almost $200,000 for Helpline House—last year, with the participation of 1,100 runners, they proudly presented them with a check for $32,000.
Helpline House Food Bank and Social Services of Bainbridge Island
Helpline House is a community non-profit agency providing an umbrella of social services striving to help our Bainbridge Island neighbors to meet essential needs. Basic services are provided cost-free, regardless of income. Needs are defined broadly and not always financial. Any community member in crisis or in need of consultation is welcome.
“Supporting Community Members for a Healthy & Whole Community”
Services: supplementary food assistance (including Thanksgiving Services and Kids Pantry), social work/case management appointments, mental health counseling, assistance with health insurance (Medicare/Medicaid) questions, children’s programs (including Project Backpack, Book Nook, & Project Happy Birthday), senior services, mobility/medical equipment loans, monthly legal clinic, and resource referrals for Bainbridge Island residents.—Helpline House website
Schedule of Events:
November 25, 2019 @ 6:00 pm | Pre-Registration ends
November 27, 2019 | Pick up bibs and pre-ordered t-shirts at: Wildernest, 310 Winslow Way E, BI WA 98110
November 28, 2019 @ 7:30 am | On-Site Registration begins
November 28, 2019 @ 8:30 am | 1 Mile RUN Starts
November 28, 2019 @ 9:00 am | 5K RUN Starts
Day-of-race registration will be at the Transmitter Building on the east side of Battle Point Park, 11299 Arrow Point Drive NE, starting at 7:30am on the day of the race.
Packet pick-up (bibs and pre-ordered shirts) for pre-registered participants will be at Wildernest, 310 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge Island on Wednesday, November 25.
Volunteers do their best to process runners quickly but lines are long in the morning – leave yourself plenty of time to park, check-in, and warm up before the start time.
Light refreshments will be provided at the end of the race. Freshly roasted coffee will be available for purchase at the fstopcafe silver trailer and hot chocolate will be provided at the PacWesty van for free!
Turkey Trot Swag?
Purchase a high-quality souvenir Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot T-shirt! Black, short sleeve, quick-dry tech fabric for only $15. Men’s, Ladies and Youth sizes available. To make sure your t-shirt is available to pick up on race day, please order your shirt by 6:00pm on November 12.
Can’t make the run? Be a virtual runner by donating or volunteering for the event, contact Michael for details.
Sponsors: Wildernest, Ihland Garden Dental Care, Island Fitness, A Kitchen That Works
Foundation Sponsors: New Motion Physical Therapy Inc., PS
Main Street Sponsors: Town & Country Markets Inc., PacWesty, Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District
Storefront Sponsors: adplanet, firetote, Tously Brain Stephens, PLLC
Donors: Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, Clif, Bon Bon Confections
***Turkey Trot images/information provided by Bainbridge Island Turkey Trot and Michael Rosenthal
