TAMPA, FLA. (November 28, 2023) More than 4,000 participants came together on November, 2023 - Thanksgiving morning - to run and walk our 9th Annual Turkey Gobble road race, which is our largest one to date raising over $110,000! The event was held by Amelie Arena and presented by AdventHealth. The race supported LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA, a free health program for those living with, beyond and through cancer. More than 150 volunteers were on hand to ensure the event ran seamlessly.
With almost 260 teams in attendance, many participants showed up in fun costumes and turkey hats. The 5k and 1-mile fun-run saw racers and walkers down Channelside at 7am. The event also saw graduates from the LIVESTRONG® program receive completion certificates. Dawn Kita, Race Lead and Operations Director, Community Health was delighted with the turnout.
"The 2023 Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble was our most impactful Turkey Gobble to date because of the combined efforts of our sponsors, YMCA staff and the incredible volunteers who came out the week of Thanksgiving to give back! Thank you all!" Dawn enthused.
"We focused on the fundraising component and our racers raised over $22,000 in donations this year, more than doubling last year's fundraising amount. We had many of our LIVESTRONG® participants attend and graduate at the plaza before the event and then use the strength they gained during the program to complete the race. Watching one of our graduates who has a walker cross the finish line with her coach cheering on her every step was incredible! This is what the race paves the way to make happen: people setting and achieving goals and supporting others to do the same."
Save the Date for our 10th Annual Turkey Gobble race next year: Thursday, November 28, 2024, supporting the LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA program.
For more information, please contact:
Kiran Malik-Khan
Senior Communications Director
Tampa YMCA
Kiran.Malik-Khan@tampaymca.org
813.557.5370