Tri-Valley Turkey Burn Planned Thanksgiving Morning

Pleasanton Rotary Clubs Announcement:

Tri-Valley residents and their holiday houseguests are invited to a new start for their Thanksgiving festivities. Tri-Valley Turkey Burn will be a free, family-fun event from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, at the Ken Mercer Sports and Recreation Community Park, 5800 Parkside Drive in Pleasanton, where participants can walk or run either 5K or10K routes in the park and along the adjacent arroyo trail. The walk-run will be held rain or shine.

Why Thankgiving?

Thanksgiving Day is the number one day in the U.S. for organized walking and running events noted said Tri-Valley Turkey Burn founder W. Ron Sutton. His non-profit ACCUSPLIT Make-A-Difference program is sponsoring the event. Turkey Burn will give Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin residents a nearby option for participating in an organized walk/run evening. Until now, the closest options have been in Walnut Creek or San Jose.

The Tri-Valley Turkey Burn will be a ‘feel-good’ event on two levels.

“It will a great way to include out-of-doors activity in a day that will likely involve lots of sedentary indoor time eating and watching television,” Sutton said. “By boosting your metabolism with walking or running, you can counter some of the calories from feasting later in the day.”

Charity and Rotary club connections

And participants are encouraged donate canned food items to help feed hungry neighbors (via local food pantries) and to consider a $20 donation (or any amount per family) toward youth development programs through the six tri valley Rotary Clubs. Donations will be collected on the day of the event, and credit cards will be accepted.

Planning for the Turkey Burn began as part of preparations for the 50 Years of Rotary in Pleasanton undertaken earlier this year by the Rotary Club of Pleasanton, Pleasanton North Rotary and Tri-Valley Evening Rotary Club.

“This is the 50-year celebration of Rotary in Pleasanton, so 2015 seems like a good time to start a tradition that may last another 50 years,” Sutton said.

Advance registration is encouraged. To register, visit TriValleyTurkeyBurn.org.

What are you thankful for?

As an another reflection of Thanksgiving Day spirit, participants are encouraged to download in advance an event bib that says, “I am thankful for…” and then to add a phrase completing the sentence to share their personal expression of thanksgiving. Participants can also register and prepare their bibs at the event.

The starting point for the walkers and runners will be past the second parking lot of the sports park. The routes are on level, paved surfaces, suitable for strollers, walkers, or wheelchairs, so everyone can participate. From the park, participants will travel onto the adjacent arroyo trail. (Those desiring a shorter family walk can circle the park.)

Restroom facilities are available at the park.

--Image via Pleasanton Rotary Clubs