Edison Park Turkey Trot to Support SALUTE, Inc.

Chicagoland runners can now sign up for the Edison Park Turkey Trot, which this year supports three charities including SALUTE, INC., the Palatine, Illinois based non-profit dedicated to meeting the financial, physical and emotional needs of injured military service members, veterans and their families.

The Thanksgiving Day 5K race started 22 years ago in Edison Park with just 500 runners. This year, more than 6,000 people are expected to run. The 5K kicks off at 9:30 a.m. on November 22nd-shortly after the Gobble Gallop, which takes place at 8:30 a.m. for kids ages 3 to 10.

With no chips and no timers, the Turkey Trot is intended to be a fun holiday race that focuses on raising funds for various charitable organizations. This year, the beneficiaries include the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to honoring the lives of our fallen heroes, Ignite the Spirit, a charity that was created to raise funds for Chicago's firefighters, paramedics, and their families in times of need, and SALUTE, INC., a non-profit dedicated to meeting the needs of injured military service members and their families.

"We're thrilled to be included in this great event," said SALUTE, INC. Co-founder and Executive Director, Mary Beth Beiersdorf. "Having put on a number of races ourselves, we feel very connected to the running community, and are grateful that the Edison Park Turkey Trot Committee chose SALUTE to be one of the charities the race will benefit this year."

The race is planned by a 12-person Edison Park Turkey Trot Committee, which chooses the charities for the race. Oftentimes, selected charities from previous years come back to run and support the new charities, so the race continues to grow in size.

"This year, we decided to choose three charities that benefit our first responders and service men and women," said Gina Doherty, a committee member since the Turkey Trot's inception. "SALUTE was an obvious choice. When you support SALUTE, you know that your donation is going to someone who is truly in need."

Online registration for the Turkey Trot is open until November 18th. After that, runners will need to register in person on race day. To learn more about SALUTE, INC., the Edison Park Turkey Trot, or to sign up to run, visit Saluteinc.org.