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Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Illustration by Jim Waters

For those looking to burn off extra calories and make room for Thanksgiving turkey, ASUFit and San Angelo Road Lizards are teaming up to bring San Angelo's first-ever Turkey Trot Saturday at 10 a.m.

"The purpose of this event is to encourage more people to live a healthier lifestyle through exercise," said Bill Cullins, executive director of special projects. "Through these activities we (ASUFit) can help raise awareness of the dangers of obesity and other related health risks."

The event is open to anyone willing to participate and consists of either a 3-mile run, 1.5-mile fitness walk, or a 1-mile run for children 10 and younger. Registration will be at 9 a.m. in front of the University Center.

The track will consist of a 1.5-mile loop around and through the campus, and in Thanksgiving tradition all the awards will be pumpkin pies.

The San Angelo Road Lizards, a club dedicated to supporting running as a recreational and competitive sport, will be providing time equipment and helping with scoring.

In addition to ASUFit and the Road Lizards, other student organizations such as Delta Sigma Pi and the Student Nursing Association have also volunteered to support the Turkey Trot.

"We (Deltasigs) believe that staying healthy is a very important part of life, especially for young adults," said Kirby Winchester, a Delta Sigma Pi member. "This is why we became involved. The holidays are right around the corner and this is a time when people tend to lose sight of their health. This and other events sponsored by ASUFit are to motivate them to stay focused on their health."

The Turkey Trot takes place in many major cities and small towns across America as a way to promote community health.

According to Cullins, the decision to have a Turkey Trot this year, as well as more community-involved activities, was based on feedback from a survey conducted that showed students believed ASU should have more events on campus that provide recreational opportunities for students.

"It (the Turkey Trot) does inspire me to live a healthier life," said Mayra Gomez, a Delta Sigma Pi member. "It just makes me feel good when I do something good for my body."

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