Before you stuff yourself with turkey on Thanksgiving Day, consider participating in the annual Marietta Daily Journal Gobble Jog to benefit MUST Ministries.

The event, which began in 2002, is expected to bring more than 9,000 people to Marietta. The run begins at the Marietta Square.

Initially, the run had about 1,400 people. It’s grown to include runners from across the nation.

“The Gobble Jog is like a fun-filled street party,”   Ike Reighard, president and CEO of MUST, said in a statement.

Those who don’t run can sign up to be a phantom runner and still receive a long-sleeved event T-shirt featuring the 15th anniversary logo.

 Related:

VIP runners - a category sponsored by Northwestern Mutual - is almost full. Runners can add $50 to their registration and receive admission to the living room area at StoneBridge Church reception hall near the starting line. They will also receive premium snacks and beverages, a dri-fit t-shirt and a goody bag. This category is almost full.

Packet pick up will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 22, at the Cobb Civic Center, 548 South Marietta Parkway, where they will receive race numbers and T-shirts. The free kickoff event also features bounce houses, food trucks, sponsor exhibits and family activities.

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Proceeds from the race, raised through corporate sponsorships, race registrations and runners raising  money online, benefit those living in poverty in eight counties. In the past year, MUST helped  nearly30,000 people in need by providing food, housing, employment services and clothing. Of those individuals served, 84 percent of them were women and children.

Event participants register for the timed 10K, timed 5K, untimed 5K, 1 mile and 50- yardTot Trot to help provide resources for the Loaves and Fishes Community Kitchen, veteran’s housing, food pantries, Summer Lunches, emergency shelter, housing for the disabled who have been homeless, employment computer labs, school food pantries, clothes closets and more.