Miami-Dade

Turkey Trot Race Returns to Tropical Park Thursday

The event, which has taken place for decades and is an annual event for some families in the area, will cause Southwest 82nd Avenue to be closed from Miller Road to Southwest 43rd Street

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After one year away due to the COVID pandemic, runners got the chance to lace up their sneakers yet again for the annual Baptist Health Turkey Trot 5K and 10K event Thursday.

The run started at 7 a.m. at Tropical Park with a Kids Trot starting afterward. Over 4,000 runners returned to the southwest Miami-Dade event after it was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Some even came dressed up for the event.

“I just want to dress up for any occasion," said Jojo Russo, who came dressed as a banana. "Halloween, Easter, whatever. I enjoy it.”

The event, which has taken place for decades and is an annual event for some families in the area, caused Southwest 82nd Avenue to be closed from Miller Road to Southwest 43rd Street.

“What I like most about running is the feeling when you finish the race," said Merrit Perlyn, who was one of the first runners to take off just after 7 a.m.

Participants were encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for Camillus House, which has been providing humanitarian services to Miami’s poor and homeless since 1960.

A shoe drive also took place with GotSneakers on-site collecting old and/or unwanted sneakers to be recycled. Monetary donations were also made during online registration.

Life Time, the organizer of the event, said it's a great way for families to kick off the holidays together.

“This is what we do. We produce events we’re here for the community we want to keep our community healthy," said associate marketing director Nicole Bostick. "From four-year-old all the way up to 90-years-old, it’s a really good feeling."

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