There’s nothing better than starting out Thanksgiving the right way — with a workout!

    Last Saturday, Nov. 17, more than 50 people of all ages and levels participated in the City of Miami Springs annual 5K Turkey Trot run/walk at the community center.

    It was a delightful morning filled with family and friends with fall at its finest. Bodies rejuvenated. Most importantly, a canned food drive for the local area churches to distribute this Thanksgiving season.

    Registration for the run began at 6 a.m. followed by a Jazzercise warmup.

    Recreational specialist Caitlin Smith thanked everyone for coming to their 5K Turkey Trot and offered words of appreciation to the City of Miami Springs, Miami Springs Police Department and all the sponsors, volunteers, staff and spectators for making this run one to remember. 

    The run started at 7 a.m. escorted by the Miami Springs Police Department. Runners, leisure strollers or exercise pacers had a scenic course winding from Apache through the Miami Springs neighborhood as spectators cheered them on.

    As the last crossed the finish line, the others already were celebrating the completion of the run with plenty of water and refreshments.

    City Manager Ron Gorland, who took part in the run with his daughter Sarah, said: “This was the first-ever daddy-daughter 5K. We did great. We had a lot of fun. We’re the last and we’re proud of it. We finished!”

    Said Sarah: “I think that it was really fun. A lot of my friends thought that I couldn’t do it. I’m just glad that I finished. I just wanted to race and it was my first time.”

    Ricardo Sevilla and his family took part in the fun run, an event they absolutely loved.

    Ricky Aguila said, “It was a really fun time out there. I really didn’t care about the time that I got. I was glad that I finished the race. I’m really happy that my family was out there to support me.”

    Immediately following the run was an award ceremony filled with medallions, six turkeys just in time for Thanksgiving and gift cards.

    “We are just really excited to see the growth of it. This is our biggest year yet,” Smith said.

    Here’s what some folks at the race had to say:

    • First-place winner Jon Williams: “It is a beautiful day and a nice course, the same course that I ran last year. I’m going to leave in a little bit and go run the race down at the zoo.”

    • Eliana Cruz, the first woman to finish: “It was hard but I got motivated.”

    • Mayor Zavier Garcia: “This is a good community event. It brings families together to run. I got to do it with my son. This is something that all generations can do together and do it for a good cause.”

    • Councilwoman Grace Bain: “I think this is fantastic. It’s health awareness, it’s community involvement and a canned food drive. It’s a win-win!

    • Edith Cimino: “It’s a wonderful way to connect with family and be thankful for everything we have, especially in a wonderful community like Miami Springs.”

    • Michael “Mikey” Gavila: “It was hard and fun and easier than the Disney Marathon.”

    • Anthony Jimenez: “It was a really good day. Just a simple run. No sweat!”