Charleston, South Carolina — Thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Charleston Thursday morning for the 48th annual Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble 5K, South Carolina’s largest Thanksgiving Day race and now one of the largest in the country.
This year set a new standard. Organizers said 9,500 runners and walkers registered for the race, which sold out by mid-afternoon on Wednesday. The winner finished in just over 15 minutes, having ran 3.1 miles.
Rachel Haynie, the event’s sponsorship director and race administrator, reports that attendance has increased dramatically.
“In the past 10 years, we have more than doubled our numbers,” she told me. “We sold out yesterday with slightly over 9,500 registered participants, which is the most ever.”
According to Race Director Patrick Tivnan, the Charleston race has risen to one of the top national rankings.
“We’re third largest in the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day,” he told me.
For many families, running has become a holiday tradition. Participants Claudia and Regan Rollins believe it’s worthwhile to get up early.
“This is a fun way to do it, because you’re with a bunch of people, and it’s the beautiful Battery,” Claudia told me.
Regan went on: “We’re gonna eat food, maybe go for a stroll, then eat more food.”
Organizers claim the event would not be possible without its volunteer base.
“Hundreds of volunteers put this event on, and they dedicate their time every Thanksgiving,” she said.
A percentage of the race revenues benefit Lowcountry organizations. Last year, the event raised funds for more than 20 charities around the region.
For many, the race is the centerpiece of their vacation.
“No football; just Thanksgiving Day. “This is what we do,” Tivnan explained. “Can’t imagine doing anything else.”
The idea, according to honoree Tom Fressilli, is to make the marathon a tradition in which everyone, runner or not, may participate.
“We wanted family members who aren’t runners to participate whether they move a stroller or have a dog on a leash,” he told me. “People come back to Charleston because of this.”
