Participate in 4S Ranch run before eating turkey dinner
By Elizabeth Marie Himchak
Before sitting down to a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, why not burn off some of your feast’s calories before they are consumed and help some local charitable causes in the process?
The fifth annual Thanksgiving Day Thank You Run is returning to 4S Ranch on Nov. 27. The 10K, 5K and Kids 1K Fun Run will be held at 4S Ranch Community Park and adjacent trails. The park is at 16118 4S Ranch Parkway.
Advance registration is $55 for the 10K, $45 for the 5K and $20 for the Kids Run. To register go to
Race day registration, starting at 6 a.m., will be $60 for the 10K, $50 for the 5K and $20 for the Kids Run. However, T-shirt sizes for race day registrants will be limited.
Those who pre-register have two race packet pick-up opportunities — 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 and 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at Shay Realty Community Hub, 10550 Craftsman Way, Suite 184 in 4S Ranch. If packets are picked up on race day, there is a $5 convenience fee.
Proceeds from the anticipated 1,500 runners, walkers and joggers plus event sponsors will be divided between Helen’s Closet, a local nonprofit organization that assists people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease; and the 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation, which provides grants to community organizations and projects.
Helen’s Closet was started by 4S Ranch residents Theresa and Ray Shay and their family in memory of Theresa’s mother, Helen Mok, who died from ALS in 2008. Mok, who also lived in 4S Ranch, was known to have a closet full of gifts so she could always have a present for someone when the occasion arose. Through the ALS Foundation, Theresa Shay said Helen’s Closet provides needed equipment to those with ALS to improve their quality of life. This includes walkers, wheelchairs, ramps and other equipment.
The Shays, who are founding members of the 4S Ranch-Del Sur Community Foundation, started the run five years ago and Theresa said it is “pretty exciting” to see how the run has grown within a few years.
Over the past four years, the run has raised around $50,000 and this year organizers are expecting a record turnout of around 1,500 participants, Shay said, adding eventually, the goal is to have 2,500 runners and walkers each year.
