Organizers aim for record turnout at Turkey Trot in Aurora

Folks looking for some pre-holiday exercise as well as fellowship are invited to take part in the fourth annual Tom-A-Hawk Turkey Trot 5K in downtown Aurora on Saturday, Nov. 23, event organizers said.

Co-hosted by the Aurora East Educational Foundation and the A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools, the race last year drew a record number of 1,053 participants from seven states.

Organizers said the goal this year is to top 1,100, and that early registration numbers indicate that goal is already in sight.

Former Aurora East Educational Foundation chair Bill Deligiannis, who continues to serve on the race board, said the event will again be held mostly along the Fox River and continues to attract a broad demographic.

“The race begins on River Street and heads north along the west side of the Fox River and then coming back south on the east side of the Fox and finishing over the pedestrian bridge,” he said. “Last year, we had runners less than 10 years old as well as people in their 80s. It’s just a good time and people seem to really enjoy it and know it supports some good causes.”

Deligiannis said the race “is a joint effort between the east and west sides, in particular the two foundations of the school districts.”

“It’s the A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools on the West Side and the Aurora East Educational Foundation on the East Side and both foundations are doing great work for the students and staff of their respective districts,” he said. “This hopefully is a way to bring the community together and have some fun and raise a few dollars for the programming of the foundations.”

The race has raised just over $107,000 its first three years. The money has been used for scholarships for students and for supporting mini-grants from teacher requests “and other activities for both respective schools.”

“It’s student scholarships and teacher-requested funding for special projects which otherwise the districts might not cover,” Deligiannis said.

On race day, the event will begin at the Wilder Park Promenade along the west bank of the Fox River and include food, snacks and a DJ. New this year will be three separate race times as opposed to having two a year ago, with the first runners taking off at 8:45 a.m.

“We’ll begin first with the competitive runners so they don’t have to deal with everyone else, followed by the second wave which will be for the regular runners and those wanting to go out and jog, and the third wave will be for the walkers,” Deligiannis said.

All participants will receive a shirt as well as a finisher medal, organizers said. Other awards, Deligiannis said, “will be based on age and sex including top three medal winners in each category.”

“There will also be a post-race celebration across the street at the Roundhouse where all participants can get a free drink whether it be a free beer, soda or coffee or whatever,” Deligiannis said. “I think this continues to draw people as the timing is right and people hear a lot of word-of-mouth and both school districts are promoting it. People have fun. It’s something fun to do and are bringing their friends and relatives along.”

To register, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Aurora/TomAHawk5k

David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.