HOT TO TROT: Canton’s annual 5K event evolves into heart-warming fundraiser
Runners near the finish line of Thursday’s Turkey Trot For A Cause in Canton Township.
Moments after he completed Thursday morning’s Canton Turkey Trot For A Cause, 17-year-old Canton resident Daniel Jensen peeled off the full-body turkey costume he wore during the 3.1-mile race.
Jensen was one one of over 1,600 people — ranging in age from 3 to 94 years old — who braved frigid temperatures to participate in the annual event to raise funds for the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.
“I like to help a good cause and it’s a lot of fun,” Jensen explained, sharing the sentiments of most of his running/walking/trotting peers, who rolled out of bed early on a day off to help set a participation record for the 22nd annual fundraiser.
Canton’s Turkey Trot — southeast Michigan’s largest outside of the one that unfolds in downtown Detroit prior to the Thanksgiving Day Parade — started in 2002 when Mike Murray, his cousin Dennis Murray and 60 or so relatives and friends gathered near the Summit on the Park to raise money to battle epilepsy, which impacted the lives of Mike’s son Justin and cousin Bridget Murray.
Fortunately, Justin Murray underwent a delicate brain procedure that halted his epileptic seizures when he was young.
Bridget Murray, however, still lives with the debilitating seizures that accompany an epilepsy diagnosis.
Collaborative effort
“Dennis coached cross country and track at Livonia Ladywood, so when I came up with this idea, I called him and basically said, ‘I need help’,” Mike Murray said, smiling. “We measured out a course near Pheasant Run Golf Course, I picked up some coffee and donuts, and we passed a hat for donations.
“We had kids this high (he held his palm about four feet from the ground) run in that first Turkey Trot. Now, they’re all adults and still participating.”
Once Canton Township Recreation Supervisor Ann-Marie Carravallah heard about the Murray family’s efforts, she offered to make it a collaborative project.
“People like that we offer a local race so they don’t have to drive down to Detroit on Thanksgiving morning,” Carravallah said. “I love the family spirit this event has created. You’ll see entire families out there running and walking the course. One reason for that is we try to keep it as affordable as possible.”
(To check out a brief video of this year’s Turkey Trot, click here.)
Feel-good chills
Mike Murray said he gets feel-good chills every year when he sees hundreds of people lined up at the starting line waiting for the race to begin.
Among the spectators who lined the start of the course was Bridget Murray, smiling warmly when introduced by Mike.
Heather Carr, the special events manager for the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, said the organization is incredibly grateful for the funds raised by the Turkey Trot.
“We are so appreciative,” Carr said. “I get choked up every year when I see all the support this community gives to the Epilepsy Foundation.”
Michigan is one of 27 states that does not require annual training for teachers in case one of their students has an epileptic seizure in class. The Epilepsy Foundation is working hard to get a law passed that would make training like this mandatory.
“We hear from teachers all the time who tell us they have to take a course on how to use a fire extinguisher, even though, thankfully, they’ve never had to use one,” Carr said. “These same teachers tell us that there are multiple students in each school who suffer a seizer in class and the teachers aren’t trained to deal with this episodes.”
Carr said if a school is interested in the foundation’s free epileptic seizure training course, its administrators can contact Senior Manager of Education and Outreach Shannon Waid at swaid@epilepsymichigan.org. to arrange for a training course.
Uplifting growth
Mike Murray said he is uplifted to see so many first-time participants every year at the event.
In addition to Jensen’s eye-catching running outfit, several runners adorned turkey-shaped hats as they tackled the picturesque course.
There were also runners pushing baby strollers, running or walking alongside their dogs — sights that were reflective of what a family affair the Turkey Trot has become.
People who registered early for the event were given official bright orange long-sleeved shirts that included across the top of the shirt back: “I am running for ________”. Many trotters filled the blank space in with a name of someone they know whose life has been impacted by epilepsy.
By the way, where did Jensen find such an elaborate turkey costume?
“I found it hanging in my dad’s closet last year (the outfit was a gift to Mr. Jensen several year ago Daniel explained), so I thought it would be a great idea to wear it during the Turkey Trot,” Jensen revealed.
While there were no wild turkeys spotted along the course, Jensen’s costume added to the spirt to what has evolved into one of Canton’s most heart-warming annual events.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
