Rotary takes ‘turkey trot’ online
This year, Northfield Rotary is taking the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot online.
For those who support Rotary programs, but will be out of town on Thanksgiving morning, there is now the “Free-Range Turkey Trot.” Long distance runners are invited to sign up at northfieldrotary.org/event/turkeytrot and share a photo or video of their virtual run. The cost is $20 per participant. The fee includes a T-shirt mailed in advance so out of town participants can wear them for the photos or videos they post. The most creative will be awarded a prize. The deadline for those who will be running elsewhere is Friday, Nov. 11.
“We saw an opportunity to include more people in this event,” said Rob Bierman, chair of the Rotary Turkey Trot Committee. “This gives those who cannot physically be in town an opportunity to support Rotary’s important work.”
Funds raised at the Turkey Trot will support Rotary’s ongoing work with its youth exchange program and polio eradication. Northfield is known as a “rock star” in Rotary youth exchange circles. Northfield regularly sends 10 to 15 students abroad each year and this year is hosting six foreign students.
On the polio front, Rotary International and its partners have made remarkable progress toward a polio-free world. Over the last 30 years, polio cases around the globe have been reduced by 99 percent. Only three countries remain polio endemic — Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria — so the campaign continues.
The actual Turkey Trot will begin at the Carleton College Weitz Center (north entrance) at 9 a.m. Same-day registration opens at 8 a.m. Online registration for the Turkey Trot is available now at northfieldrotary.org/event/turkeytrot. The cost to participate is $15 prior to Friday, Nov. 11, $20 after that date. All entries made online before November 11 are guaranteed a commemorative long sleeve t-shirt. Runners and walkers are encouraged to bring their dogs to the event.
This event is also dedicated to collecting food for the Northfield Food Shelf. Runners and walkers are invited to bring a food donation to the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning.
For more information, go to northfieldrotary.org/event/turkeytrot or call Rob Bierman at 612-226-9237.
