Arenzville Run
The Source
It’s one thing to begin Thanksgiving morning with a chilly 5K run, but to run 12 miles to get to the starting line…well, that means you’re a runner. But that was morning route of Travis Schroll from Bluffs Springs who “warmed up” for the run by jogging the distance to Arenzville. Arenzville hosted it’s 3rd-annual Turkey Trot last week as approximately 75 runners, joggers, walkers, and almost-made-it’s filled the streets of the tiny town in order to fill the cupboards at the Triopia Food Bank located at St. Peter’s Church of rural Arenzville. Jay Wessler, the event organizer, said, “I was afraid we wouldn’t have much of a crowd with the cold, wet weather, but I think this year’s group of runner’s was the biggest ever.” A colorful assortment of participants gathered for a quick hit of coffee and sports drinks at the home of Don Wessler, Jay’s father, and after a quick explanation of the route, the runners took off down the street with the walking crew following at a more leisurely pace. Wessler also provided a “support van” decorated to cheer on the St. Louis Rams (the Ram Van), which followed the last group of walkers. “I think most of us made it,” said Ralph Snodgrass of Chapin. “I was pretty much alone so I don’t know whether I was behind or ahead.” The Snodgrass family has made the annual Arenzville run a part of their Thanksgiving tradition. “It’s a good way to work off a few pound before the big feast,” said his son, Drew Snodgrass, visiting from his teaching job in Washington, D.C. When asked how such a small town could garner so many runners, Wessler responded, “Well, we don’t really have this many runners in Arenzville so it’s great to see the out-of-towners show up every year.” “The hardest part of the Arenzville run,” said one jogger from Jacksonville, “is following the route. I mean, there aren’t 5 K’s in the entire town so you have to make several loops around the town. I kept taking the wrong streets so I probably ran either 3K or 7k.” Will there be a 4-th Annual Arenzville Thanksgiving run? Judging by the shouts of “See you next year!” the possibility looks pretty good.