 | | | Ron Haas Photo provided | | | | | | The Moraga Country Club with the support of the Chamber of Commerce will host this year's first annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot on Nov. 23, exemplifying the club's renewed desire to be involved with the town's recreation scene. The purpose, according to MCC general manager and Chief Operating Officer, Ron Haas, is to launch a new tradition of family friendly community connectivity.
In order to preburn calories and build an appetite for the feast to come on Thanksgiving day, local residents are invited to participate in either a fun 3K trot or a serious 5K run within the country club. The giving portion of Thanksgiving is not forgotten since all the event's proceeds will go to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.
Both runs will start at 8:30 a.m. in the driving range parking lot, off Country Club Drive. The first 2.4 miles meandering through the club's streets and golf cart paths will be mostly flat and can accommodate strollers, and gentle runners/walkers. The serious runners will continue past the range and into more hilly and challenging terrain around and through the club's golf course.
The two circuits were designed by Bob Fritzky, who is an avid runner, a country club member, and vice president of the Chamber. He explained that Haas' idea immediately resonated with him, as well as with the rest of the Chamber's board, which will provide volunteers for the event.
Haas, who is always on the lookout for creating new ways to engage his membership in interesting recreation avenues, jumped at the possibility when he recognized no such event existed in Moraga. He said that the question was either to make it an exclusive club event or to open it to the community. This latest option carried the final decision with the involvement of the Chamber.
Fritzky says that it is a very good sign that MCC, the second largest employer in Moraga, is showing its desire to be a part of the town and the business community. He hopes that the trot will become a regular Thanksgiving morning event.
Haas, of course, hopes for nice weather, but his experience tells him that families with young children, young adults and serious runners all enjoy the opportunity and have a good time, no matter if the weather cooperates or not. He remembers fun-filled mornings at the different private clubs he managed before working for MCC, with people pushing strollers, bringing visiting family members and pets, including a beloved pet pig.
Participants can enjoy the beautiful scenery and views of the country club while MCC treats them to warm drinks and munchies.
Turkey Trot registration can be made online at www.runsignup.com/moragaturkeytrot.
The company powering this site provides the management of the registrations, and bibs with an electronic chip for automatic recording of participants' performances. The costs per person is between $20-$30, depending on the type of run.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA