Rogers Turkey Trot Draws Hundreds

 STAFF PHOTO J.T. Wampler Runners, some with dogs, begin the seventh annual Turkey Trot 5K hosted Thursday by the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance. The event is held each year to raise funds for the program’s Christmas Outreach, which provides children of Sheep Dogs (the men and women that make up our nation’s military and first responder professions) experiencing financial difficulties with gifts to open for Christmas. The event helps buy toys, clothing and necessities for children of military members and first responders.
STAFF PHOTO J.T. Wampler Runners, some with dogs, begin the seventh annual Turkey Trot 5K hosted Thursday by the Sheep Dog Impact Assistance. The event is held each year to raise funds for the program’s Christmas Outreach, which provides children of Sheep Dogs (the men and women that make up our nation’s military and first responder professions) experiencing financial difficulties with gifts to open for Christmas. The event helps buy toys, clothing and necessities for children of military members and first responders.

ROGERS -- Family togetherness was not limited to the dinner table Thursday, as hundreds turned out for the seventh annual Northwest Arkansas Turkey Trot.

They hit the streets for a 5-kilometer run, a 1-mile fun walk, and the 5-kilometer "Wild Gobbler" that combined running with five exercise stations.

At A Glance

Raffle Winner

The NWA Turkey Trot gave away a 55-inch Vizio television through a drawing of bib numbers at the end of Thursday’s race. The winner had to be present to win. The first number drawn belonged to someone who wasn’t present. The second number drawn was 346, which belonged to Kriss Spencer of Washburn, Mo., who was present. Spencer expressed excitement and said she didn’t have a television nearly as big as this one. “This is such a blessing,” she said.

Source: Staff Report

Marty Esarte and his wife, two sons and niece ran the 5-kilometer race. They each wore a shirt that featured a giant turkey with the words "Turkey Day" emblazoned across it.

Esarte, a Rogers resident, sported his own Thanksgiving fashion flair. He pulled up one of his pant legs to reveal an orange sock that read "I (heart symbol) pie."

Esarte said the Turkey Trot is a good way to start the holiday. It was the first race for his sons Nicholas, 10, and Matthew, 12.

"Our goal is just to finish today," Marty Esarte said, as the family waited for the race to begin.

"And have fun, and not worry about what your brother is doing," said Sherri Esarte, referring to the competitiveness of her boys.

Money raised through the Turkey Trot goes to Sheep Dog Impact Assistance, an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that focuses on supporting the needs of veteran "sheep dogs" -- men and women who serve in the military, law enforcement, fire and rescue and emergency medical service professions.

The races started and ended at the Center for Nonprofits, where Sheep Dog Impact Assistance has its office. The temperature hovered around freezing for most of the event, but aside from some shivering, it didn't seem to bother most runners.

"Within a mile you'll be nice and toasty, so don't worry too much," said Lance Nutt, the organization's president and founder, to the runners just before the race began.

Nutt, a sergeant major with the Marine Corps Reserve, said the Turkey Trot started seven years ago with about 80 people. It attracted a record turnout of more than 600 people this year, he said.

"It's nice. It shows we're getting a lot of support and recognition for what we do as an organization," Nutt said.

Money raised from the Turkey Trot will go toward Christmas presents for Sheep Dog families in need. Each child who benefits will receive three toys of their choice along with clothes and shoes.

Mike Herbert, 54, of Rogers was the overall winner of the 5-kilometer race with a time of 15 minutes and 57 seconds. He ran with his dog, Keylo. It was the fourth time he'd run the Turkey Trot and second time he'd won it, he said.

"It's a great day to be out and (Sheep Dog Impact Assistance) is a great organization," said Herbert, who competed in three Summer Olympics as a member of the U.S. Canoe/Kayak team.

Herbert's daughter, 17-year-old Savanna Herbert, also ran and finished about six minutes behind her father.

Scott Desso, 57, of St. Charles, Ill., was in town to visit his daughter, who attends the University of Arkansas. Desso ran with his wife, two daughters and sister. They dressed up as Native Americans with headdresses and face paint.

"We try to do a race every Thanksgiving," Desso said. "It's kind of a family tradition we've had."

Last Thanksgiving, the Desso family ran a race in Dallas dressed as elves, "But most people mistook us for clowns," he said.

His wife found the Northwest Arkansas race online. The cause is close to his heart; Desso was a Marine and his son served in Iraq.

Joshua Foster, 20, of Joplin, Mo., said he enjoys running in the cold weather because he doesn't overheat. He ran Thursday's Turkey Trot with his parents and sisters.

"We like to move before we eat to rationalize the turkey eating," Foster said. "It makes us feel better later."

NW News on 11/28/2014

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