Habitat for Humanity’s Turkey Trot 5K
A Beloved Beaufort Tradition
story by MICHELE BARKER photos provided by HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Before the turkey goes in the oven and the football games flicker on television, hundreds of runners, walkers, and families will gather at the starting line of Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry’s Turkey Trot 5K, a race that has become a Lowcountry tradition!
Now in its seventh year, the race is more than just a pre-feast calorie burn—it’s a way for people to gather together to ensure that more families in our community have a safe, affordable place to call home. The morning is filled with laughter, costumes, and camaraderie, but the finish line carries a deeper meaning: Every step taken helps Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry build strength and stability through shelter.
Greg Baitch, President at Ward Edwards Engineering, is not only a sponsor, but also a regular Turkey Trot participant. Last year, Greg placed third in his age category and won first place in the Overall Men’s Division of the Beaufort Triple Crown race series of which the Turkey Trot is the third “jewel” in the crown. The two other races are Beaufort Digital Corridor’s Run Forest Run 5K and the Swing Bridge Run 5K produced by Holy Trinity Classical Christian School.
Greg said he tries to participate every year unless out of town with family, and even then they try to find a Thanksgiving race to run. “Although, nothing compares with the Lowcountry Habitat race event organization and course in Beaufort. We’re truly blessed with a scenic and historic route right here in our backyard,” he added.
“It’s fun how each race brings together a unique mix of local participants and visiting runners of all different skill levels. My race goal is usually to attempt beating the previous times from my younger self. Although, as I get older and possibly slower, I’m considering going all-in on the Thanksgiving race costume competitions next!” Greg said.
From the sponsor’s point of view, he said, “We are committed to supporting organizations that seek to put God’s love into action serving our local community. Habitat’s mission to build homes and strengthen communities aligns with both my personal values and the approach of Ward Edwards Engineering.”
Clare Lindquist and her husband lived at Dataw Island for 11 years but have recently moved to Connecticut. For the past six years, her family participated in the Turkey Trot.
“Each year, our two sons from Connecticut and Georgia and their families would come visit for Thanksgiving,” she said. “The race was always a big highlight of the holiday for us. My husband and I generally were spectators only and waited at the turning point corner of Sea Island Parkway and Meridian Road. Sometimes a little one would wait with us and watch her sisters, cousins, and parents run the whole race. Sometimes our spot would serve as a resting spot for one or two of the younger girls who would have the excitement of the start and the finish on Bay Street but would skip the whole Meridian Road piece. It was great because they could join their parents and cousins even when they were too little to run the whole 5K. It was different each year but fun for all — great way to start the special day. It was very special for all of us.”
Janna Bankston and Scott Bouchard of Greenville, South Carolina, have made it a tradition to run the Turkey Trot for the past four years and will do so again this year. She said, “Our family gets together at my aunt and uncle’s house on the intracoastal waterway for the holiday, and we like to have the run as a way to not feel guilty about what we will eat later in the day! It’s such a well-run race and we love how low-key it is, and the scenery is hard to beat!” she said. Scott truly gets into the spirit of the race, annually donning a costume. Last year’s turkey ensemble will be hard to beat, but who knows, he may win the first Turkey Trot Costume Contest, a new element of the event for 2025!
Suzanne Gallup is practically a local legend when it comes to Turkey Trotting.
“For a number of years, I have participated in the Turkey Trot as I felt it was for a very good cause,” she said. “I have been fortunate to finish this race and often was able to place in the top three of my age category. We must add that her age category is the “Women’s 70 Plus.” Last year, she not only completed the Beaufort Triple Crown series but took first place in her category! What an inspiration!
Mike Capasso’s family makes it a tradition to run a Turkey Trot race wherever they may be spending Thanksgiving. He is among many out-of-towners who come to Beaufort for the holiday and the race. In fact, nearly 40% of last year’s 1,004 runners were from out of town and represented 29 other states.
“As a family tradition, we like to do a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning wherever we are that year. My sons and I like to run the 5K and my wife and daughters-in-law will walk with the dogs. Our first one was in Denver, but we have participated in Mercer County, NJ; Fairfield, CA; San Diego, CA; and now Beaufort (2023) and Pooler (2024),” he said. They plan to run in Beaufort again this year.
Greg Baisch summed up the Turkey Trot event well when he said, “This event is a rare win-win opportunity, even if you don’t win the actual race! The Lowcountry Habitat Turkey Trot offers a rare chance for families to enjoy our local environment while making a generational impact supporting Habitat’s incredible work providing housing and hope in our community.”
If you would like to make the Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry Turkey Trot 5K part of your family’s Thanksgiving tradition, you can sign up here: https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Beaufort/LowCountryHabitatTurkeyTrot5K. All proceeds from the race go toward building a home for a local family, a place where they can celebrate their own holiday traditions!
