ALBEMARLE — An annual Thanksgiving morning tradition in Stanly County is back for its 20th year this Thursday as the Uwharrie Running Club is set to present its annual Turkey Trot 4.2 Mile Run.
The free, all-day holiday event will be held in YMCA Park, located at 427 N. Street in Albemarle; attendees can register on-site that morning beginning at 6 a.m. or on www.runsignup.com.
As of Nov. 21, 185 participants have signed up for the run.
“Come out for this annual Stanly County tradition, where family and friends meet to start the day off in the calorie deficit column,” Uwharrie Running Club posted on its signup page. “Turkey Trot apparel will be available to purchase online or on the day of the event. We will be accepting monetary donations for Stanly County Christian Ministries.”
With a donation goal of $1,000, this year’s Turkey Trot run has already raised $950 through 27 different donors, nearly meeting its initial goal of supplying funds for emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters, and low-income daycares.
Stanly County Christian Ministries is a partner agency of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which distributes food and grocery items to approximately 550 hunger-feeding agencies in 19 counties in the Carolinas.
The Turkey Trot run is just one of multiple yearly races presented by the Uwharrie Running Club, joining the Y Hot Chocolate 8K, Locust Elfie 5K, Run the Valley 5K, and the Tour De Elvis 5K, among many other local events.
The club is led by its president Jason Britney, who also owns the Uwharrie Dash running shop in downtown Albemarle.
In June, Stanly County commissioner Peter Asciutto sold Vac & Dash — his retail operation of 18 years — to Britney and his wife, Nicole Ashton, who have since renamed the Albemarle-based business. Self-acclaimed as “the South’s most unique specialty store,” Uwharrie Dash specializes in running gear, cycling equipment, and other outdoor-related merchandise.
“This has always been a dream as I have a passion for running, shoes, and our commitment to community engagement has been a large part of our lives,” Britney posted on his social media page during the business rebranding. “We hope to continue the current store offerings, create more community engagement, and support the local lifestyle, whether it be walking, running, biking, disc golf, wearing your custom-designed shirt, or just wearing a great fitted pair of shoes.”