The NCC Run Club in Battle Ground and Elba Benzler teamed up this year to put on the Thanksgiving River Run, which gives participants a chance to get active while also providing for a good cause.
This year, 80 participants donated 240 pounds of food and $100 to the North County Community Food Bank. The run took place on a trail along the East Fork River Lewis River heading toward Moulton Falls.
“Thank you so much for all the big hearts of giving this year,” Benzler said.
Benzler, who is with the organization “Get Bold Events,” has been putting on the free annual run on Thanksgiving morning since 2010. The event came to fruition as Benzler teamed up with his running and walking friends to start off their Thanksgiving morning before they met up with family and friends for the holiday at Hantwick Park in Yacolt.
In 2011, Benzler decided to offer a free run to the community, since Thanksgiving day is the biggest running day of the year, he said. He decided to ask people to bring food for the local food bank so they could give back to those in need.
“Through the years, we have had many of the local run/walk clubs join us like the Clark County Run Club, Run Grub and Chug run club, Rebel Runners, Why Racing, Vantucky Trail Runners, Vancouver USA fit club and many other organizations come out to support the cause of giving back to our community,” Benzler said.
The average turnout for the annual event is 75 participants.
