Here we go again! First the huffin’, then the stuffin’. That’s the motto for the Waynesville-Sunrise Rotary Club’s Annual 5k Turkey Trot being held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, at Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center.
“Last year was a huge success with more than 300 participants and 2022 is going to be even bigger and better with more huffin and hopefully more stuffin!” said Rotary Club race organizer Lane Perry. “Walk, jog, run, or pursue a personal best, whatever you prefer — this is the day to achieve it. Lake Junaluska on Thanksgiving Day is the perfect host and backdrop to take pause, reflect, and be thankful.”
The race entry fee is $30 for adults (13 and older) and $15 for youth under 13. Each race participant will receive an unforgettable family friendly experience, a race T-shirt and a moment to reflect on all that there is to be thankful for in the community. The racecourse meanders safely through Lake Junaluska’s beautiful grounds. We will have dozens of Traffic Turkeys around the course to cheer you on and keep you on track!
With the race logistical support of Glory Hounds Events, the Waynesville-Sunrise Rotary is ready to go.
“We are thrilled to partner again with this annual event and to be working with the Waynesville-Sunrise Rotary,” said Greg Duff, with Glory Hound Events. “The excitement and energy they bring, along with the novelty of running at beautiful Lake Junaluska to begin the Thanksgiving holiday, will make for a fantastic race and morning.”
All proceeds will support local community development projects and service work. Past projects funded by the Rotary Club include Pathways’ Holy Cow Food Truck and Myr-Ken Women & Children’s Shelter Technology space, the Haywood County School’s Bus Camera Program, Broyhill Children’s Home Computer Program, Waynesville Middle School Student of the Month Program, and most recently the Haywood Habitat for Humanity Women Build initiative.
The fundraiser race is made possible by the generosity of sponsors and runners, walkers, and trotters like you: • The Gobbler level ($1,250): Mountain Eye Associates. • The Jakes & Jennys ($750 level): Beverly-Hanks & Associates, Bosu’s Wine Shop, Clark & Leatherwood Inc., Junaluska Family Dentistry, Overbay Insurance Service, Mast General Stores, and Western Carolina University Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. • The Friends of the Flock ($200 level): Boojum Brewing Co., Bruce Kingshill, Wendolyn Forbes, GraphicFX, Haywood Builders, Underwood & Dills CPA, Bruce and Cat Golson, Prescott and Pennon Perry, Randy Rogers, Rick and Marylin Shaw of Shaklee Wellness, George and Sondra Shepherd, and Michael and Ashley Zande.