Gobble Jog draws record 8,000 participants
Team Chicken Pickle made it over the finish line in just under an hour. Not far behind were the Butterballs from Marietta.
They were part of the family-friendly Gobble Jog in downtown Marietta on Thursday, a holiday road race that drew more than 8,000 runners and walkers, with some dressed as pilgrims, Indians and turkeys. The 10-, 5- and 1-kilometer event has raised $1 million since it was started eight years ago to benefit faith-based MUST Ministries.
The Pickle team, a group of 17 friends and family from Woodstock to Wisconsin, has made the Thanksgiving event an annual tradition. A toddler in the group came up with the team name, and this year Susan Schonau designed shirts for the group.
“We stay overnight and visit with relatives,” the Warner Robbins resident said. “It feels good to do this for a good cause.”
Blanche Smith led the Butterball team of four generations, including two daughters, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, in the 5K walk. Her husband Bud Smith, 80, waited at the finish line.
Sprayberry High School freshman Grant Tucker and Connor Grant finished the 10K race in 49 minutes in turkey costumes they improvised from felt, construction paper and safety pins.
“We’re pretty exhausted, but it was worth it,” Connor Grant said. He and Tucker also dressed as turkeys in last year’s race.
Winners in the 10K race were Ryan Burruss, 19 of Marietta, who had a time of 33:31, and Sarah Breevort, 24, of Charlottesville, Va., who finished in 39 minutes. The 5K winners were J.P. Hackney, who finished in 15:53, and Jenny Turner, who finished in 18:55.
MUST spokeswoman Betsy Matthews said the race drewa record number of participants and topped this year's goal of raising $260,000 for programs that help people in need in Cobb and Cherokee counties.
