Annual Turkey Trot Keeps Dexter Students on the Move

With gray skies and blustery winds hovering over Dexter on Thursday morning, hundreds of students at took to the outdoor track for the school's annual Turkey Trot.

Now in it's 35th year, the 1-mile sprint emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and promotes health among students, Walt Keppler, physical education instructor at Wylie said.

"It's a way to promote cardiovascular exercise," Keppler said. "The kids are not competing with anyone but themselves. Some kids take it seriously and want to be the first to cross the finish line. Other students are more relaxed and walk the track at their own pace."

Years ago the Turkey Trot was held closer to Thanksgiving, and the winner received a turkey, Keppler said. However, in recent years, the event has been held at the end of fall before the winter cold settles in.

"We have been pushing the event back further and futher to allow for better weather," Keppler said. "We also did away with the turkeys and now award students with gift certificates from ."

The Turkey Trot is open to students in the third and fourth grade and Keppler said most students try to beat their time from the previous year.

"You don't have to be fast. The only one your competing against is yourself," Keppler said.

Keppler said parents in the community help make the program successful every year.

"We couldn't do any of these types of activities without the parents," he said.

Parent Wendy Sutton said the Turkey Trot is a great way to teach children the importance of being active.

"It pushes them to do their best," she said.