Local residents go for a morning run on Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, many Millcreek residents warmed up for the holiday with a morning race run in Mill Creek Canyon.

The Mill Creek Canyon Cold Turkey 5K Fun Run began bright and early at 9 a.m. in the parking lot in front of the Olympus Hills Shopping Center at 3900 South Wasatch Blvd.

The third annual holiday run was organized this year by Sports-Am and was sponsored by the local businesses in the shopping center.

Olympus Hills Shopping Center Property Manager Ned Skanchy said the local event has gotten bigger and better every year.

“It’s a really fun run. It can get cold [this time of year], but people seem to get a lot out of it,” Skanchy said.

This year, runners were invited to bring their families to gather in the parking lot of the shopping center on Thanksgiving morning for free coffee, hot chocolate and bagels provided by Einstein’s Bros. Bagels.

The staff of Studio Cove, a gym located in the shopping center, led a warm-up before the 5K run began.

Participants also enjoyed live music and prizes given to the first three race finishers in 18 different categories.

The race course started in front of the shopping center, followed a path east on 3800 South, went up into Mill Creek Canyon and then turned back to end in the parking lot of Olympus Hills Shopping Center.

Skanchy said the Cold Turkey 5K is also open to walkers, seniors, children and families pushing strollers. He said although there were awards given, the run wasn’t meant to be competitive.

“We’re locally owned, so we want to support the community in healthy living,” he said.

Proceeds from the race also supported the less fortunate and the hungry. Residents registering for the race were invited to bring a can of food to donate to the Road Home, a nonprofit organization that provides aid to the homeless.