Twelfth Annual Turkey Trot slated for Nov. 23 at Merrill Park

          It’s time to dust off your running shoes or dig the bike out of the back of the garage for the 12th Annual Turkey Trot in Grinnell.
        Put the turkey in the oven and come on down to the Merrill Park west shelter house, 11th and Main, on Thursday, Nov. 23 for some early Thanksgiving morning exercise and fun!
         All runners, walkers and bicyclists should met at the park at 8:15 a.m. with the group picture being taken at 8:20 a.m. The Turkey Trot will kick off at 8:30 a.m.
         There are three routes available – 1 mile - (Main to 10th, 10th to East, East to 8th, 8th to Main, Main back to shelter house); 2 mile - (Main to 10th, 10th to Penrose, Penrose to 8th, 8th to Main, Main back to Shelter House); 5K - (Same as 2-mile route with loop around Ahrens).
        No sign up is required for this free event, but everyone must sign a waiver before participating. There is an online link to the waiver under the discussion tab in the story about the Turkey Trot on the Grinnell Running and Recreation Facebook page that can be printed, signed and brought to the event. Paper copies will be provided on event day as well.
        The event is hosted by the Grinnell Running and Recreation group.
    “I’m shocked every year at the amazing turnout and generosity of participants with their food and monetary donations to MICA,” said Bill Ford, who spearheads the event. “This is the 12th year of the event and keeping it free to participants has been very important to me so there are no barriers to participate.”