Add to Your Thanksgiving Traditions With the Gobble Wobble 5K
Writer / Ali Schneider
Photographer / ????
With its cool temperatures and the beautiful changes of nature, we look forward to one of the most popular holidays in our
country – Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a time when friends and family get together, gather around the table, make delicious dishes and share memories from the year. Before you dive into your overfilled plate, there is a local event that could, perhaps, make you feel a little less guilty about your indulgences.
One of the most new and popular local events is the Gobble Wobble 5K. It is an annual race that is held around Chapman Lakes. It began as an idea for Kent Lundy and his wife, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit back in 2020. As everyone was trapped inside their homes, the couple decided they wanted a reason to get back outdoors. For them and so many others, the lack of social interaction was having a negative impact on their day-to-day life. This led to Lundy’s idea for an activity that anyone could participate in, to provide a little positivity to people’s mindset. Hence the Gobble Wobble 5K was born.
With many months of planning, the first Gobble Wobble took place last year and was quite the success. As they prepare to host the second race this year, they have added many enhancements to make race day even more exciting and fun for all. For example, this year they will be including chip timing, which involves a timer that goes directly onto the participant’s bib. Race timing chips allow walkers and runners to see highly dependable results of their performance in live time, and review them once they cross the finish line.
Additionally, the Gobble Wobble organizers have added a long-sleeve technical T-shirt, and many other surprises this year. The list of sponsors has grown as well. Some of the top sponsors include Instru-Med, Earth Design, First United Methodist Church, Streven, Grace College, The Boat Doctors, Warsaw Chiropractic (coming soon), The Watershed Foundation, Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, CIC and more.
The event is an opportunity for the community to come together and support each other on a journey to better health. Not only is it a fun event for the whole family, but it is also a chance to get up and get going on Thanksgiving day with a group of like-minded individuals.
Not a runner? No problem. Lundy says anyone is able to participate. Whether it is your first race or you have a number of 5Ks under your belt, you are welcome to join. You can walk or run at your own pace, and take in the beautiful sights of Chapman Lakes while you are at it. The race will begin and end at the Chapman Lakes Conservation Clubhouse. This means you will end up right back at your car, making it a very convenient race where you do not have to have someone pick you up at a different location once you finish.
This year the race will take place on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on November 23, and will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $45 and is open through November 22 at midnight. However, the organizers recommend that you register by November 1 to secure your shirt, timer and race packet, which will all be distributed on race day.
If you have a last-minute desire to join the race, but have not registered, you can show up on race day between 7:45 a.m and 8:30 a.m. However, be aware that if you register that day, there may not be shirts or chip timers left.
As this is a community event, the proceeds from the race will go toward the Chapman Lakes enhancement fund. This aims to improve the water quality of Chapman Lakes, along with other lake enchantments. Additionally, they are allocating proceeds for public safety initiatives such as creating awareness and safety signs for runners and cyclists.
If you are interested in participating in the Gobble Wobble 5K, you can learn more at chapmanlake.com/2023-gobble-wobble.
Consider making this a new, fun and healthy tradition for you, your friends and your family. See you at the finish line!
