YMCA Thanksgiving Run Thru the Woods

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Thanksgiving Morning Tradition continues – The 32nd Annual YMCA Run Thru the Woods Presented by Gullo Dealerships. Registration is available until Noon on November 24th.

For more than three decades, Run Thru The Woods has been one of the premier running and walking family events in Texas. After several years of the race event scheduled in October, The holiday tradition officially began on Thanksgiving Morning in 1995 and was named The Gobbler 5 Miler. In 1996, the race name changed to Run Thru the Woods and the rest they say is history!!! Though virtual in 2020, this year, the charity event expects to attract more than 3500 participants from around the country as we celebrate “Return to running and live events”.

The annual holiday event has raised more than $2.750,000 since it began. Thank you to our generous sponsors who continue to support running for a cause: Gullo Dealerships, St. Luke’s Health, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, Houston Methodist Hospital The Woodlands, Alight Solutions, CWM Pavilion, Fleet Feet, Market Street, Repsol, Raising Cane’s, Main Event, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Life Fitness and Papa John’s Pizza.

The 2021 event is Thanksgiving Morning, November 25, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands Town Center. Designed for a wide variety of participants, categories and start times include a competitive one-mile Children’s Race for ages 12 and younger starting at 7:30 a.m.; a five mile race at 8:15 a.m.; and a three-mile race and three-mile walk starting at 8:25 a.m. Wear your favorite Thanksgiving costume. Strollers are welcomed but please leave your pets at home.

Awards include special prize package to the overall top three finishers, male and female, in both the five-mile run and three-mile run. Awards will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place finishers, male and female, in each age group including five-mile, five-mile masters division, three mile race, and three-mile masters division. In the one-mile children’s race, first- through fourth place awards will be distributed to the top four finishers in each age group, male and female. A uniquely designed finisher medal will be handed out at the finish line to all participants.
Post-race party includes a complimentary Kids Zone with face painting and balloon artists along with complimentary refreshments for everyone including delicious warm pizza from Papa Johns!

“Over the years, this popular holiday event has never lost touch with its mission: To provide a fun community event for all ages and all levels, promoting youth development, healthy living, community service and social responsibility as well as raising awareness and funds for the deserving youth organizations the event supports,” said Roxanne Davis, race director and community liaison of The Woodlands Family YMCAs. “Give back, give thanks, let’s run and have fun! YMCA Run Thru The Woods is a great way to begin Thanksgiving Day and kick off the holiday season. There’s the excitement of thousands of people pulling together with purpose, and it’s a great way to spend time with family and friends, to encourage each other, and give thanks and support local nonprofits, including the YMCA. I have had the privilege to be involved and watch the event grow since 1994! My heart is filled with joy, every Thanksgiving Morning, when I look down the start line and see the thousands of runners/walkers lined up to support the YMCA. We live in a very generous and caring community.”

Registration ends at Noon on Wednesday, November 24th. There is no race day morning registration. To learn more and register for YMCA Run Thru The Woods, visit runthruthewoods.org. Like us on Facebook, YMCA Run Thru the Woods.

Volunteer opportunities available. Contact Roxanne Davis, Race Director,
281-681-6730.

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