Bailey Schafbuch | Sports Co-Editor
The First Annual Turkey Trot 5k Fun Walk/Run, sponsored by Recreation Services and the Office for Student Affairs, took place on Tuesday, Nov. 20 on the Buena Vista University (BVU) campus.
The Turkey Trot was created and developed by Recreation Services and the Office for Student Affairs, specifically by Recreation Director Ellen Schiltz and Assistant to Vice President of Student Services Nancy Marshall. The idea for the Turkey Trot stemmed from seeing other universities implementing the run as a popular intramural activity.
“We have been looking for opportunities to incorporate fitness and wellness and have it as an inclusive program for students, faculty, and staff. It seemed like an easy event that could get everyone involved,” Schiltz said.
The whole goal behind the event was to provide an opportunity which incorporated fitness, wellness, social components, and networking opportunities for the participants before the holidays. In addition, the Turkey Trot helped people be active and get involved in the campus community. 
The event was open to all students, faculty, and staff of the BVU community.
“We really wanted to attract the attention of those who work here, play here, and study here,” Schiltz said.
The participants had the choice of either registering as an individual or with a team. Teams such as the Butterballs (Siebens School of Business faculty and staff) and the Drumsticks (Student Affairs staff) participated to show their involvement.
The Butterballs team consisted of Secretary of School of Business, Cindy McDonough, Dr. Joni Anderson, Dr. Steve Remington, Dr. Scott Anderson, Dr. Stan Ullerich, and Dr. Henry Hardt. The Butterballs dressed up as Butterball turkeys wrapped up in tinfoil with turkey leg hats.
According to Dr. Joni Anderson, the idea to participate in the Turkey Trot was inspired over lunch conversation and was decided on because the members of the School of Business saw the event as a good cause and a team-building opportunity.
Close to 80 members of the BVU community signed-up to participate in the fun health initiative. The first 50 of the 80 BVU members who signed up received a free t-shirt for their participation.
Instead of a fee typically charged to participate in a race such as this, the registration fee for the Turkey Trot was one canned food item per person. The sponsors of the Turkey Trot wanted it to be a fun and free event, so they decided to give back to the community instead. The canned food items generated were given to The Bridge, a local non-profit organization.
The Turkey Trot started at the Recreation House in an attempt to show the campus the Recreation Services’ new identity. President Moore started the race, and the participants took off for a two-loop track around the campus. The route went near Scout Park, past the suites, by the office of Marketing and Communication, and around J. Leslie Rollins Stadium. In addition to the route and because the race was a fun walk/run, there were added fitness challenges.
Photos by David Ekstrom
Graphic courtesy of Aaron Burns
