The Rome Turkey Trot has record-breaking turnout for first year

Runners, walkers and volunteers gathered on Thanksgiving morning for the inaugural Rome Turkey Trot 5K and 3K Feel Whole Stroll at AdventHealth Stadium. The event garnered a significant turnout with 562 participants, including 87 same-day registrations. This event was established and coordinated by AdventHealth Redmond, TRED (Trails for Recreation and Economic Development of Rome/Floyd County) and the Rome Emperors.

The course followed two opposite routes of the AdventHealth Redmond ECO Greenway, giving runners and walkers a chance to run alongside the newest connection of the trail. Participants dressed as turkeys and in festive apparel sprinted, trotted and walked the course. The male winner of the 5K race was Dalton Benefield of Cedartown, Ga., with a time of 16:18, and the female winner was Lauren Shank of LaFayette, Ga., with a time of 20:47.

As a first-year event, organizers were uncertain of how many would register for the race. However, Wire 2 Wire Running, a race operations company based out of Cartersville, Ga., realized the Rome Turkey Trot was the largest year one race ever organized by the company. Proceeds from the event went to Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries Inc. to help combat hunger in local communities.

Our goal is always to make sure that every person we connect with feels whole and loved,” said Isaac Sendros, president and CEO of AdventHealth Redmond. “When we were planning the Turkey Trot, we were hopeful that this event would serve as an opportunity for fellowship, health and wellness for our communities, and we are already talking about next year‘s Turkey Trot event.