Turkey Trot Draws 75 Runners, Strengthens Perry County Community Fitness

On Thanksgiving morning, the Perry County Department of Outdoor Recreation staged the county's second annual Turkey Trot 5K, with roughly 75 participants turning out for the event. The run was organized in partnership with the Perry County Pathfinders, whose chair and director of waterways and outdoor programs, Desi Jarrell, reported that attendance surpassed organizers expectations. The event combined recreational activity with community fundraising and relied on local sponsors and volunteers to support logistics and safety.

The turnout underscores a growing local appetite for organized outdoor events and presents a practical test for county capacity to manage recurring programming. A modest field of runners from across the region highlights Perry County as a focal point for outdoor recreation, and the event offered opportunities for local businesses near the start and finish areas. Organizers recorded race results and collected participant feedback, which they intend to use when planning future events.

Institutionally, the race was run under the auspices of the county department responsible for trails, waterways and outdoor outreach. That alignment spotlights a policy area where county investment can leverage volunteer networks and private sponsorship to deliver public benefits. Sustaining an annual Turkey Trot at a larger scale will likely require clear budget commitments, coordination with public safety officials, and continued engagement with community sponsors. Those are decisions elected officials will face as recreational programming becomes a more prominent municipal service line.

For residents, the event represents both a health opportunity and a venue for civic engagement. Volunteer involvement demonstrated community capacity to support events that combine fitness and fundraising. If the run expands in future years, Perry County may see incremental economic and social returns in the form of increased patronage for local businesses and greater use of trails and waterways.

Organizers say they plan to make the Turkey Trot an annual fixture and will use this year s experience to refine permitting, volunteer coordination and fundraising. Residents interested in supporting or participating in future events can connect with the Perry County Department of Outdoor Recreation or the Perry County Pathfinders to learn how to volunteer or sponsor upcoming activities.