BETHANY BEACH, Del. – People of all athletic abilities, young and old, woke up early Sunday morning to run a game of that Thanksgiving dinner and offer some support. The 18th Annual Turkey Trot has returned, benefiting local Delaware Special Olympics athletes. “So you see grandma, grandpa, mum, dad, then the kids, and they’re all out there running or walking together, so that’s a really cool thing to end your Thanksgiving,” says Jennifer Neal, Head of Activities and Fitness at Sea. Colony. She adds, “It helps to raise awareness of the Special Olympics, not just in northern Delaware and here in Sussex County to help these athletes and keep them active with certain things.”
Runners and walkers met at the Sea Colony Fitness Center, put on their shoes, did a few quick stretches before hitting the trails. We are told it was to show how much the community is behind these athletes. “Hey everyone is an athlete whether you’re at the Special Olympics or the regular Olympics it’s great to see healthy people and walk or run it’s fabulous. », Explains the rider Vince Pavic. He adds: “It’s always a bonus whenever you can support a great cause like the Special Olympics and they had a good turnout here today as well, so it was really nice to see. “
Neal says bringing the event back this year means the world to them. She adds, while the money raised will help pay for the athlete’s training, uniforms and equipment, it’s also about seeing everyone back in one place that will end the day perfectly. “This is our biggest year and it’s great to see, I mean, we see people coming every year, but we also see a lot of new faces, especially this year,†said Neal.
Meanwhile, Pavic told 47 ABC that this was his first time attending the event and it was definitely something he enjoyed. “I am picking up 5 km, 10 km whatever and this is definitely a race that I will come back and do again.” Pavic adds: “Everyone seems to be comfortable and going back to normal and I think that is really what a lot of us need, much more normal.”
The race will return next year.
However, if you are looking to help Special Olympics Delaware athletes click here.
