Todd Kane gathered his flock on Saturday, November 23 and readied for the inaugural Sun City 5k Turkey Trot.
Kane, along with Debi Calvin, started a walking group this spring.
First to cross the finish line are Barb Campell and Debi Campbell. (Photos by Christine Such/Sun Day)
“We met on Saturday mornings at Wildflower Lake and walked 20 minutes out and 20 minutes back. Everyone walks at their own pace, so some will cover more distance in the time,” he said.
How did the trot come about?
Calvin said, “We met with Kathy Kent from the fitness center and the idea emerged to have a pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. We asked participants to bring a donation for the Grafton Food Pantry.”
The group met in front of the Fountain View Entrance. Participants were dressed for the weather, with a few turkey costumes in the crowd.
Kane said to the group, “We are going to go east to Cold Springs, take Cold Springs around until it comes back around to Del Webb Road. Follow the arrows we have posted and we have a map for all of you.”
Calvin added, “It’s a fun event and with the completion of this walk, we will all go into Thanksgiving with a deficit in calories.”
Jerry Schaefer and Cynthia Rosati dressed up for the event with turkey headgear and glasses.
Joan Davis, also costumed for the trot, said, “I brought an extra costume for the trot.”
Another participant donned the apparel.
As they began the trot, around 25 residents and a few turkeys started down the road.
“Well organized and good people to walk with,” said Paul Lemke.
Kane moved from New Jersey to Sun City a year ago and has found himself enjoying the community.
“I am involved in a lot of things. I currently volunteer as a Track Coach at Huntley High School. I am a volunteer driver for the Senior Care Vehicle Network. I primarily provide rides for individuals here in Sun City. I have joined the Theatre group here. I moved to be near my daughter and my grandkids. My wife and I have moved 7 times in 30 years, but this is our last,” he said.
Barb and Calvin Campbell were the first to complete the 5k Trot. “It was invigorating and fun. It was a great day for walking,” Barb said.
The group consensus was that they would do it again.
Kane stated, “We got a nice accumulation of donations for the Pantry, which I will be dropping off on Monday.”
Participants were so enthused that they threw out possibilities for a Polar walk on New Year’s Day and other holiday suggestions.
The walking group will resume regularly in the spring. Anyone interested in joining the Saturday morning walks can contact Todd Kane at ToddKane76@gmail.com.
The oldest documented turkey trot, a still-ongoing annual event is in Buffalo, New York, and dates to 1896.
