CONTACT
Jenn Kostka Beck
jbeck@unitedwaydenver.org
303-263-4561
51st Annual Event Raised $641,000 to Support Metro Denver Families
(DENVER) – Nearly 10,200 runners shook their tail feathers around Denver’s Washington Park on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, 2024, for Mile High United Way’s 51st Annual Turkey Trot, Denver’s greatest Thanksgiving tradition. The event raised more than $641,000 to benefit Mile High United Way’s efforts to give all children a strong start, support education and academic success and create economic opportunity for all.
Thanksgiving is the biggest running day of the year for Americans, according to RunSignup, and Mile High United Way’s event is one of the biggest Turkey Trots and 4-mile races in the country.
“Today, Turkey Trot runners did more than run a race,” said Christine Benero, Mile High United Way president and CEO. “They helped families across Metro Denver connect with the resources they need to thrive in our community. On this Thanksgiving, we are once again grateful for the thousands of runners, volunteers and sponsors who came out to show everyone what it means to live united in Colorado.”
The Turkey Trot is one of the biggest annual fundraisers for Mile High United Way, the first United Way in the world. Founded 137 years ago, the organization supports families throughout Metro Denver and works to meet our region’s most pressing needs. Last year, Mile High United Way invested $25.5 million in our community and helped more than 668,700 people.
This year, the Mile High United Way crowned the winners of the Turkey Trot’s first costume contests to recognize everyone, including babies and pets, who dress up to run the race. Winners included a dog names Basil dressed as a turkey, people dressed as an inflatable dinosaur, a chef and a turkey, and a pat of butter.
Sponsors of the 2024 Turkey Trot were Bib Sponsor BOK Financial; Family Fun Run Sponsor HCA HealthONE; Community Sponsor Denver7; Beer Garden Sponsor Great Divide Brewing Company; Hydration Station Sponsor Xcel Energy; Lil Gobbler Sponsor FirstBank; Run Your Yams Off Sponsors Chuze Fitness, Dog Training Elite, Giving Machines Denver, Pepsi, Raymond James, Select Health, Suncor, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and ULA; Gobbles the Turkey Sponsors Connect for Health Colorado, Mortenson, Washington Park Veterinary Clinic and Holman; Packet Pick-Up Sponsor Fleet Feet; and Media Sponsors 5280 Magazine and KBCO.
Photos of the 2024 Turkey Trot can be found here.
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About Mile High United Way
Mile High United Way, the first United Way in the world, was founded in Denver in 1887. Working side by side with the community, Mile High United Way takes on critical human services issues facing our seven-county footprint including the Metro Denver, Boulder and Broomfield communities. Our united approach changes the odds for all children, families and individuals in our community, so that we all can succeed.
Learn more at www.unitedwaydenver.org. Follow us on social media: @UnitedWayDenver.
