Gobble, gobble. Stomp, stomp. The 4th annual Drumstick Dash roared through the streets of downtown Roanoke on Thanksgiving Day to raise money for the Roanoke Rescue Mission. The official “Turkey” of the race, Kevin Spencer, encouraged the 7,582 runners and walkers in the 5K race to “eat more chicken.” The turnout was a 40% increase over last year’s total number of racers, indicating the race’s popularity has soared.
The annual event raises money for the Roanoke Rescue Mission, to feed, clothe, house and counsel the homeless, and families in need. All anyone has to do is show up and ask for assistance. The Drumstick Dash helps fund the Rescue Mission and the emergency shelter. The Mission offers 398 beds, that are available 365 days a year.
This year’s Drumstick Dash, along with previous fundraisers, helped provide the 93 turkeys, 52 hams, 350 lbs. of mashed potatoes, 20 commercial pans of stuffing, 35 gallons of corn, 40 gallons of gravy, 1,500 rolls, 155 lbs. of green beans, 1,500 servings of cranberry sauce and hundreds of pies and cakes consumed at the mission on Thanksgiving Day. The runners definitely “moved their feet so others could eat,” — the official slogan for the race.
The Drumstick Dash also brings families together for the holidays. Barbara and John Tate came from Washington D.C. to spend Thanksgiving with their children, Leslie, Sarah and Stewart, who all ran the 5K. “We think the [Roanoke] Rescue Mission is the best thing we have seen anywhere. We are very, very impressed. This city has done a wonderful job.”
Just before the race got underway Lee Clark (Director of Development for the Rescue Mission) said, “We are so grateful and so thankful.” The Dash was expected to raise about $170,000, according to Clark. Runners came from 32 different states to raise money for the 40-50 parents and kids housed in the family shelter, as well as for homeless single people and the in-house drug / alcohol programs.
In addition to the families and groups that ran or walked together, there were some serious runners. The top three women finishers were Kaleigh Wood from Burlington with a time of 19:32; Nicole Solana from Christiansburg, running in 19:38, and Lucika Grone from Roanoke came in at 19:44. Barrett Lehardy, a Hidden Valley High School graduate, was 1st overall at 15:41. David Angell from Blue Ridge wasn’t far behind with 15:50. Tim Smith, a Cave Spring High School alum now running for Richmond, was third at 16:03.
The next run to hit the pavement for a good cause is the 5K Jingle Bell Run & Walk for Arthritis on December 12th in downtown Roanoke. The Jingle Bell run is aptly named as it is a tradition to tie bells on running shoes – and jingle all the way. Register at www.jinglebellrunroanoke.kintera.org or call 800-456-4687 ext 311 for more information.
By Alice Shook [email protected]