
In 2013 Katie Holeman and her oldest boy got up with the sun and completed the first Wiregrass Turkey Trot 5K run before heading home for a traditional turkey dinner with the family.
“He’s a natural pacer and has great endurance. It was awesome to do it together. The next year, the five of us did it. My favorite thing about the Wiregrass Turkey Trot is it’s a family friendly event that encourages families to be active together and a promotes healthy lifestyles. I love the tradition of coming together and exercising together. It’s a great way to start Thanksgiving and the holiday season,” Katie said.
Katie’s son is a natural pacer, she’s a natural pied piper. The Holeman family has run all six Wiregrass Turkey Trots–initially meeting up with other friends and families from the school. Then the team started to grow because she talked it up through the PTA. About 20 team members have run four of the six annual events.
“I had no idea there was a competition. One year I told our friends that we already have four families and I suggested we make a school team,” she said.
The Lutz Leopards have won the “Largest School Team Competition” the past three years. In 2018, 55 Leopards finished the Wiregrass Turkey Trot and the PTA collected another $350 check. Amanda Fulmer, the Lutz K-8 PE coach, organizes the Lutz Leopard Miles Club.
“It’s wonderful and FITNiche and the Rotary Club support our school so we can sponsor the Miles Club for our kids. Our students may log their laps around a dirt track during recess if they choose. They can earn a dog tag adding a little rubber foot every 5 miles they run. When they complete 25 miles their accomplishment is mentioned on the school’s morning show. We’ve had kindergartners who completed 100 miles in a school year!” she explained.
Schools still have time to register and compete for the largest team. School teams can give the Leopards a run for their money—potentially earning a $350 donation to their school. The Wiregrass Turkey Trot also has competitions for the largest Company and Friends & Family teams. No donations, but these classes compete for cool winners’ trophies and bragging rights. To get in on the fun, a coach needs to register the team. The coach sends the team name to potential members. Then, members select their team by name when they register for the 5K.
“Funny story. We used to be Lutz Elementary. When we were converted to a K-8 school, our fellow Wiregrass Turkey Trotters were confused. They asked, ‘Who are you?’” I think we’re like the artist formerly known as Prince…we’re Wiregrass Wobble super stars but nobody knows our name,” Katie said.
“He’s a natural pacer and has great endurance. It was awesome to do it together. The next year, the five of us did it. My favorite thing about the Wiregrass Turkey Trot is it’s a family friendly event that encourages families to be active together and a promotes healthy lifestyles. I love the tradition of coming together and exercising together. It’s a great way to start Thanksgiving and the holiday season,” Katie said.
Katie’s son is a natural pacer, she’s a natural pied piper. The Holeman family has run all six Wiregrass Turkey Trots–initially meeting up with other friends and families from the school. Then the team started to grow because she talked it up through the PTA. About 20 team members have run four of the six annual events.
“I had no idea there was a competition. One year I told our friends that we already have four families and I suggested we make a school team,” she said.
The Lutz Leopards have won the “Largest School Team Competition” the past three years. In 2018, 55 Leopards finished the Wiregrass Turkey Trot and the PTA collected another $350 check. Amanda Fulmer, the Lutz K-8 PE coach, organizes the Lutz Leopard Miles Club.
“It’s wonderful and FITNiche and the Rotary Club support our school so we can sponsor the Miles Club for our kids. Our students may log their laps around a dirt track during recess if they choose. They can earn a dog tag adding a little rubber foot every 5 miles they run. When they complete 25 miles their accomplishment is mentioned on the school’s morning show. We’ve had kindergartners who completed 100 miles in a school year!” she explained.
Schools still have time to register and compete for the largest team. School teams can give the Leopards a run for their money—potentially earning a $350 donation to their school. The Wiregrass Turkey Trot also has competitions for the largest Company and Friends & Family teams. No donations, but these classes compete for cool winners’ trophies and bragging rights. To get in on the fun, a coach needs to register the team. The coach sends the team name to potential members. Then, members select their team by name when they register for the 5K.
“Funny story. We used to be Lutz Elementary. When we were converted to a K-8 school, our fellow Wiregrass Turkey Trotters were confused. They asked, ‘Who are you?’” I think we’re like the artist formerly known as Prince…we’re Wiregrass Wobble super stars but nobody knows our name,” Katie said.