Gobbler 5K, Turkey Trots Planned In Pasco County On Thanksgiving

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — First Christian Academy is hosting the 11th annual Gobbler 5K and Fun Run will be held at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10050 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey on Thursday, Nov. 23 from 7:30 to 10 a.m.

This is a run, walk or stroll family event through the park with proceeds benefiting First Christian Academy.

The Gobbler 5K will be a chip-timed race. Participants will receive a finisher’s medal, poly dry-fit race T-shirt and backpack.

First-, second and third-place finishers in each age category will also receive a trophy.

The 1-mile fun run is a race for all ages. Participants get a finisher's medal, poly dry-fit race T-shirt and backpack.

The event is family- and pet-friendly with music and vendors.

Runners may still register in person on race day or in advance here and pick up race packets from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Starkey Park Educational Center.

All participants will be parking in the fields at the entrance of the park. The race is in the center of the park with the start and finish located at the educational center information kiosk.

Jogging strollers are welcome as are well-behaved and leashed pets.

Gates to the park open at 6:45 a.m. on Thanksgiving.

Wiregrass Turkey Trot

The 11th annual Wiregrass Turkey Trot will take place Thursday, Nov. 23 at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

Race packets can be picked up Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fit2Run at The Shops of Wiregrass.

The Kids Dash will begin at 7:15 a.m., the 5K starts at 8 a.m. and the unchipped 1-mile fun run starts at 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

The Wiregrass Turkey Trot started in 2013 with three local organizations building a family event benefitting local charities. More than 1,400 ran in the inaugural 5K and 1-mile fun run events raising over $20,000. Since then, the race has attracted more than 2,200 runners and walkers.

The family event includes selfie stations, a costume contest and music. Last year, race organizers added a Kid’s Dash for the little ones.

The Rotary Club of New Tampa and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel are the hosts of the event, which has raised more than $332,394 for charities in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel since 2013, including AdventHealth Wesley Chapel's mobile medical units that provide medical care to underserved neighborhoods, assisted by Pioneer Medical Foundation, and the Rotary Club of New Tampa, which funds 15 to 25 charities including OASIS Opportunities, New Tampa Family YMCA, Heroes Adapt, Joshua House, USF Rotaract, two high school Interact clubs and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

Click here to register.

Land O' Lakes 5K Turkey Trot

There will be a 5K Turkey Trot and Pre-Thanksgiving Workout Thursday starting at 8 a.m. at Get A Grip Total Fitness, 3938 Lake Padgett Drive, Land O Lakes.

Click here for information.