Turkey Day Run may top 6,000 | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC

Organizers of Thursday's 34th annual Knights of Columbus Turkey Day Run & Gobble Wobble are expecting registrations to top the 6,000 mark for the first time in the 5K's history, but they know from past experience that weather always plays a role.

Last year's race smashed records for both registrants at 5,887 (up from 2009's 5,138) and actual finishers at 5,308 (up from 2008's 4,239), which put Turkey Day among the top 30 largest 5Ks in the nation. It is the second biggest race in the state, behind the Cooper River Bridge Run, in terms of timed participants.

"We have been fortunate enough to break our attendance record the last four races," said Rob Wills, this year's race director and member of the Knights of Columbus Council 704. "This year is no different, and we are hoping to break the 6,000-runner mark and possibly reach 6,300 this year. As long as the weather holds out, we are confident in obtaining our goal."

According to AccuWeather.com, Thursday will be sunny and comfortable, with a high temperature of 67.

Registration and packet pickup for Turkey Day is at a tent on Marion Square, 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 7-8:45 a.m. Thursday.

Growth in last year's race was due largely to "amping up the family activities," according spokeswoman Caroline Morris.

Organizers plan to continue that, offering a Kids Fun Run at 10 a.m., along with a Krispy Kreme doughnut-dunking station and jump castle. While the kids are occupied, organizers also are bringing back the Blue Dogs for live music and expanding the size of the beer garden, which was jammed up last year.

The Turkey Day 5K itself will be virtually two races -- one for serious competitive runners, 200 of whom will be corralled in the front, and a fun run of mostly joggers, including some in Thanksgiving-themed costumes. Prize money for top finishers also has paid off by luring faster runners who have dropped Top 10 finish times dramatically in the past few years.

Runners and joggers in the middle and back of the pack also will see more accurate finish times this year because of a timing system that starts only once they cross the starting line, thereby not penalizing them for waiting for runners in the front to move ahead, according to Chuck Magera, who owns Charlestowne Road Race Services and has timed all previous Turkey Day Runs.

After runners finish and enter Marion Square, results will scroll on four TV monitors, Magera said.

While the Knights of Columbus use the Turkey Day Run to raise money for local charities -- 12 of which received funding from last year's race -- organizers once again have coordinated with troops overseas to hold a Turkey Day Run.

Morris said they are coordinating with the First Battalion, 9th Marines to provide a race that is open to all branches of the military stationed at a base in Helmand Province of Afghanistan.

As many as 200 troops are expected to participate and receive Turkey Day T-shirts and other freebies.

To represent them, the Marine Corps will present the colors and a retired Marine will sing the national anthem before the race.