Runners at the starting line for the 29th Annual Virginia Run Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 23, in Centreville. Photo by Steve Hibbard.
The 29th annual Virginia Run Turkey Trot was held on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 23, in Centreville. About 3,500 runners and walkers raced down Pleasant Valley Road helping to raise $80,000 for Inova Hospital's Life With Cancer and the Inova Schar Cancer Institute.
The first-place male was Jonathan Phillips of Fairfax, 24, now living in Boston, who finished with a time of 15:42. The first-place female was Kelly Rogers, 24, of McLean, who finished with a time of 18:42.
"We had a really great turnout this year. There were a lot of smiles out there; so I think everyone was pretty happy to be here even though it was cold," said organizer Meghan Logan.
This year's USATF-certified 5K race and 2K walk was dedicated to two women from the community who died in September: Amy Miller and Gail Shedlick. "Their families were here today and we're happy to honor them," said Logan.
Logan said the 3,500 number was the perfect size for this year's race. "There were years that it was much larger; this year was perfect. It's very very big, but to us, it's a very nice manageable size. I think the turnout was phenomenal. We hope to keep this base of people and we're glad we have so many repeat runners and walkers join us every year," she said.
A 12-person race committee and about 100 volunteers helped to put on the race, said Logan — from county and state police, to EMTs, to Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts to local churches as well as people from Life With Cancer who have been patients.
The primary event sponsors were American Windows & Siding of Virginia, Ourisman Chantilly Toyota, Korean Central Presbyterian Church, Skyline Insurance Agency, Edelman Financial Services, InCadence Strategic Solutions, and RE/MAX, Jeannie Donahue and Nicole Hillyard.