Mt Laurel Elementary hosting Turkey Trot 5k

Published 4:29 pm Monday, October 10, 2016

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Every year the Mt Laurel Elementary School PE teachers put on a Turkey Trot one-mile fun run.

This year they have decided to get the PTO involved so that in addition to the one-mile fun run they could also add a 5k to the event, which will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5.

“It’s never really been a big fundraiser for the school, but this year they asked us to get involved and we look forward to raising money for the PE department and the school,” said PTO president elect Courtney Kalnoske.

This is the 10th anniversary of the Turkey Trot, but the first year the 5k will be part of the event.

Kids and adults are welcome to run or walk in both events. The certified 5k course starts at MLES and takes you through the town of Mt Laurel, while being officially timed.

“We’ve always done the fun run so kids can stay active and have fun,” Kalnoske said. “The kids really enjoy it and this year they have an opportunity to try something they may have never done and get excited about it.”

The top male and female finisher in both the 5k and fun run will receive a free Thanksgiving turkey, while the top three finishers in each individual age group receive medals. All school age runners in the fun run will receive a participation ribbon.

The 5k will kick off the event at 8 a.m. that Saturday, while the fun run will begin at 9 a.m.

Pre-registration is open now and costs $30 for the 5k and $15 for the fun run, which includes a t-shirt. Prices will go up $5 on the day of the event and although they will still have t-shirts available they aren’t guaranteed. The pre-registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 18.

“All of the money will be split between the PTO and the PE department,” Kalnoske said. “We want to make sure they are able to get any equipment they may need, and then we would like to try and get more Chromebook carts to make sure each grade level has two.”

Kalnoske also said the goal is to attract a lot more people and community involvement this year, including adults, which is why they decided to add the 5k to the trot.

“We’re obviously hoping it raises more funds, but we want the community to be more involved in it this year,” she said. “In doing this we are trying to attract people of all ages to come out and participate.”

Kalnoske also said they moved the event to the beginning of November so the weather would be a little warmer and less people would be out of town.

“This year is a learning year for us and we look forward to learning from everything this year and taking that into account when we start planning next years event,” she said.

To register for the event online visit runsignup.com/Race/AL/Birmingham/MtLaurelElementaryTurkeyTrot