WORTHINGTON -- I gave some thought to running in the Turkey Day 10k this year, but then took a look in the mirror. There was no way I was going to get my drumsticks in shape in time.
But I admire the hundreds of runners who take part in the race that has become such an integral part of our festival. And I also admire the T-shirt each runner receives upon completion of the event. That's really why I contemplated running it -- for the shirt.
You can take a gander at a selection of previous Turkey Day 10k shirts via a quilt that is currently on display at the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce office.
Longtime 10k volunteer Lou DeGroot had the quilt made from her own collection of T-shirts.
"I had the Turkey Day shirts because I always helped with the 10k race," DeGroot explained. "What am I going to do with all those shirts? There was no way I could wear them all."
ADVERTISEMENT
So DeGroot picked out some of her favorite designs, had Helen Peterson of Westbrook stitch them up into the quilt and offered to let the Chamber display it during the festival. Be sure and stop down and take a look.
Unfortunately, due to some health issues, Lou is taking a hiatus from signing up runners for the race this year, but she promises to be back at her volunteer post for the 2011 race.
Lou's quilt got me to thinking a bit more about the T-shirt designs, so I gave longtime race organizer Jerry Fiola a gobble. He confirmed that all the shirt designs are Bob Artley originals. Artley was a cartoonist at the Daily Globe many years back. Now in his 90s, Bob lives in Florida and still did an original design each year for the shirt up until about 2002.
"Bob has drawn turkeys from just about every angle he could think of," said Fiola. "He did originals for us up to about seven years ago, then we just began reworking some of his old ones."
This year's shirt, Fiola noted, will feature artwork from the 1985 design.
The 10k race begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on 10th Street, with a path that takes the runners around Lake Okabena.
"One of the things that makes our race unique is that at most area runs, you just have a few spectators, usually relatives," Fiola said. "We have spectators who line the course all along main street and around the lake. The runners always comment about all the people cheering them on. That makes our race special."
Fiola anticipates about 600 runners making the trek this year, and for the second year in a row, chip technology will be used to give precise times at the finish.
ADVERTISEMENT
GET A CLUE!
Here is the third clue in the annual King Turkey Day Medallion Hunt. The medallion is worth $100 to the person who finds it.
Hidden somewhere on public property within the Worthington city limits, the medallion is a large bronze coin with a turkey on its face. If and when the medallion is found, it should be brought to the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, 1121 Third Ave.
As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, the medallion had not been turned in.
Sponsors for the 2010 medallion hunt are: Center Sports, Family Video and Pepsi Cola Bottling Co.
Clue No. 3:
My next stop will be in D.C.
But first someone must find me.
ADVERTISEMENT
Go to the south and then to the west,
For that is where I've come to rest.
