Fundraiser running/walking events will be staged in Ceres this week.
Hosted by Ceres Christian Church, the 2024 Turkey Trot will be staged Thanksgiving morning.
“We are so excited to re-launch the Turkey Trot,” said Megan Beckhart, marketing director/co-event organizer. “We started the Turkey Trot back in 2012 as a fundraiser for Walter White and Westport schools and we enjoyed hosting it each year until COVID. We are thrilled to bring this community event back in a more inclusive way with no cost to participants.”
The Family Over Everything Fun Run/Walk Austin Stiles Memorial will be staged on Saturday.
“He (Austin) would be so happy knowing that with the funds we raise we continue to help youth in our city, we continue to sponsor local teams, we pull tags off Christmas trees and bless the less fortunate all in his name,” said Meliesa Branson-Stiles, Austin’s mother and event founder.
The Turkey Trot will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Nov. 28.
Students, staff and family from Ceres Unified schools will be competing for the coveted Golden Turkey Award.
Attendees are encouraged to don their school spirit wear, sports jersey or school colors.
On-site registration for the free community event begins at 7 a.m.
Register online at cereschristianchurch.org.
The 5k and 10k races will start and end at Ceres Christian Church, which is located at 3502 Roeding Road.
The winning school will be announced at the end of the event.
A Golden Turkey trophy will be awarded to the Ceres school with the most runners/walkers.
For more information, contact Ceres Christian Church at 209-537-8931, Megan Beckhart at 209-648-7638 or Rob Beckhart at 209-602-2077.
“This year, we’re not charging any money,” said Rob Beckhart, co-event organizer. “Anything we make will be from community donations.”
Created in memory of Austin Stiles, the Family Over Everything 5k Fun Run will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ceres High School.
Stiles, a 2016 CHS grad who starred in football, basketball and track and field, passed away at the age of 24 in December of 2021 during a vehicle accident.
“Austin had a heart of gold, he was kind, he was loving, he was generous and he was a giver, he also was a fighter (lol),” Meliesa Branson-Stiles stated in a Facebook post. “He would do things to make people smile, he would help someone in need, he loved his family, and his friends who he considered family.
On-site registration begins at 8 a.m.
Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Ceres/FamilyOverEverything5KFunRunWalk.
Run/walk starts at 9 a.m.
Registration fee is $30 per person.
Proceeds from the Family Over Everything Fun Run/Walk will benefit the Austin Stiles Memorial Foundation.
“We are so excited for this event,” Branson-Stiles said. “Bring out your family or friends, you can walk it, jog it, run it, or even walk your stroller or wagon! It will be a fun time! I know Austin will be smiling down on us all. Austin’s happy space was outside, he loved his workouts, he loved his runs. He will be proud of us all.
For more info, contact Branson-Stiles at 209-552-9798.
