Race director: Big Gobble Wobble numbers mean more for charity

Race director: Big Gobble Wobble numbers mean more for charity

ABC News

Thu. Nov. 24th 2011

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The 34th Annual Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble 5k saw a record number of participants — a number race organizers with Council 704 of the Knights of Columbus hope will translate into more money to more local charities. "The outcome could not be any better," said race director Robert Wills. "We had beautiful weather. We once again set a record for the number of runners with 6,052 entrants." Though the Gobble Wobble is only in its 34th year, the event is rich with history. The first Turkey Day run took place in 1914 and has undergone several format changes before becoming what it is today. The event annually averages about 5,000 participants from 35 states, Canada and Mexico who run and/or walk. The reason for the success? Wills says it is the race’s family atmosphere. "So far, from everyone that I’ve spoken to, they are having a wonderful day," Wills said. The race was won by 20-year-old AJ Fitzsimmons of Mount Pleasant. Fitzsimmons finished the 3.1-mile trek with a time of 15:05. Lauren Goss, 23, of Mount Pleasant was the top women’s finisher with a time of 17:01. The race started on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. Runners took a trip around the battery and then came up King Street before finishing at Marion Square. Last year with money generated from the race, the Knights of Columbus were able to donate to 12 different Lowcountry charities. Among those were Crisis Ministries and MUSC Children’s Hospital. "We plan on giving to the same charities this year and hopefully, with the more people, we will have a little bit more money to add a few more charities to our list," Wills said. "We’re always willing to help out the public."

Updated: Nov 24, 2011 6:38 PM EST

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The 34th Annual Turkey Day Run and Gobble Wobble 5k saw a record number of participants — a number race organizers with Council 704 of the Knights of Columbus hope will translate into more money to more local charities.

"The outcome could not be any better," said race director Robert Wills. "We had beautiful weather. We once again set a record for the number of runners with 6,052 entrants."

Though the Gobble Wobble is only in its 34th year, the event is rich with history. The first Turkey Day run took place in 1914 and has undergone several format changes before becoming what it is today. The event annually averages about 5,000 participants from 35 states, Canada and Mexico who run and/or walk.

The reason for the success? Wills says it is the race’s family atmosphere.

"So far, from everyone that I’ve spoken to, they are having a wonderful day," Wills said.

The race was won by 20-year-old AJ Fitzsimmons of Mount Pleasant. Fitzsimmons finished the 3.1-mile trek with a time of 15:05. Lauren Goss, 23, of Mount Pleasant was the top women’s finisher with a time of 17:01.

The race started on Meeting Street in downtown Charleston. Runners took a trip around the battery and then came up King Street before finishing at Marion Square.

Last year with money generated from the race, the Knights of Columbus were able to donate to 12 different Lowcountry charities. Among those were Crisis Ministries and MUSC Children’s Hospital.

"We plan on giving to the same charities this year and hopefully, with the more people, we will have a little bit more money to add a few more charities to our list," Wills said. "We’re always willing to help out the public."