Thousands Attend Turkey Trot at Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter

Thousands of runners across the state flocked to in Dexter Township Saturday for the annual "Turkey Trot" 5K, 10K and children's fun run.

Now in its 15th year, the event is organized by Champions for Charity, an Ann Arbor-based company that helps raise funds for the University of Michigan Healthy Schools program.

"We really like the fact that the U-M health system goes into area schools and teaches children about fitness and nutrition," race director Andrea Highfield said. "They offer a full curriculum of programming to help fight childhood obesity."

Other organizations benefitting from this year's race include Cell Phones for Soldiers, which collects used cell phones that are exchanged for prepaid calling cards sent to U.S. troops stationed overseas; and Soldiers' Angels, a nonprofit group that sends care packages overseas.

"The Turkey Trot is a great family event. Competitors come and compete for awards and others come and just have fun being at the park and with each other," Highfield said. "It's a combined celebration of Thanksgiving and Veterans Day."

Highfield said the number of participants this year rose dramtically from last year.

"We had about 400 new people registered this year," she said.

Mike Everett of Novi, and his son, Mike Everett, Jr. of Pensacola, FL., were on hand to enjoy the race.

"I come up every year for Thanksgiving to visit family and I make it a point to attend the Turkey Trot," Everett Jr. said.

Everett Jr. said his father peaked his interest in running several years ago and he has since launched his own running club, Pea Ridge, in Florida.

"This is a really beautiful course," he said. "In Florida the ground is flat and we run on the beach. It's nice being able to run in the woods again when I'm up in Michigan."

Everett won first place overall in his age division for the 5K run, he said.

Amber Powers and Eric Santori of Ann Arbor said this was their first time attending the event.

"It was absolutely beautiful," Santori said. "You couldn't ask for a better day to run."

Powers said her favorite part of the race was the "cheery atmosphere."

"It's a unique event," she said. "There's a lot of positive energy here."

Christa Williams of Northville said she also enjoyed the race path through scenic areas of the park.

"I run throughout the year and this was a nice event to get to," she said. "It's put together well and it's a lot of fun."

Highfield said last year the race garnered $7,200 for local charities.

"Hopefully we can raise at least that much, if not more this year," she said. "The support we get from the running community is fantastic."