Local Group Organizes 5K of Global Proportions

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Exercise isn’t usually the first thing most people associate with Thanksgiving.  However, this Thursday an estimated 2,400 runners around Lexington will gather to race for a cause before they sit down for their turkey dinner.  This year marks the 29th annual Bluegrass Runners Thoroughbred Classic 5-K at Keeneland.

Event Spokesman, Jeff Franklin, says the race is unique for several reasons.

“We have families that come out and run and walk and exercise together.  It’s a great way to start Thanksgiving.  You know you go out and burn a few calories and then you can go and indulge yourself with your family meal I guess.”

Franklin says there’s a new twist for this year’s race.

“We had a club member who is in Afghanistan right now, who is stationed there and she asked us if we could do a shadow run.  It sounded like a great idea, way to show support for them, so on Thanksgiving morning about 78 people who have registered for the race over there with her will also run on Thanksgiving day.”

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Hope Center, God’s Pantry, Central Kentucky Radio Eye and the Lexington Humane Society.  More information is available at bluegrassrunners.org.

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