The 11th Annual Thanksgiving Tradition Brings Northlanders Together
A Record 2,200 Runners Participated in This Year's Event
Thanksgiving night, many of you are most likely curled up, still in a food coma, or just about ready to grab another plate, but before everything started to heat up Thursday, thousands of Northlanders lined up along London Road in Duluth.
It was a record setting year for the 11th Annual Gobble Gallop in Downtown Duluth.
Race organizers say over 2,200 runners participated in this year’s festive fun.
The seasonably mild morning kicked off with a Gobble Giddy Up! Kids Run, followed by a Tough Turkey One Mile Run.
The main course of the event was served around 9:30a.m., as thousands broke through the starting line to gobble their way through the 5K.
“I love running and I love working with kids, so between the two of them it’s a great combination and a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving,” said Shawn Woodland, a helper with the race.
For many, it’s a chance to be thankful for good friends. For others, family traditions include galloping before the big dinner, year after year.
“It’s kind of nice to get out with other people and kind of enjoy the day,” said Mike Schmidtman, a participant in the 5K. “We were looking for slippers at Walmart and it was kind of an eleven o’clock buy the night before we showed up this morning,” said Schmidtman.
“I’m glad to be out here, there are a lot of people and we’re going to try and get a good spot,” said Tommy Anderson, also participating in the 5K.
Race participants say the weather was exceptional, and they were proud to see so many turn out for Duluth’s Annual Family-Fun Thanksgiving tradition.
The annual heart healthy tradition is sponsored by Essentia Health, and the National Bank of Commerce along with many other local supporters.
