JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Happy Thanksgiving, First Coast!
Whether you're getting your running shoes and turkey hat out of the closet or preparing to say that 'it's 5 o'clock somewhere,' there’s a lot going on in Jacksonville Thursday morning.
The first race of the day is the Community First Thanksgiving Distance Classic at Pickwick Plaza on San Jose Boulevard, south of Sunbeam Road. Nearly 3,500 runners will converge on the plaza for a turkey trot, 5K and half marathon at 6:50 a.m.
Then at the Beaches Town Center an hour after that, Tony's Turkey Trot for Brain Injury Awareness kicks off. The 5K is at 8 a.m. and the turkey trot is at 9:30 a.m. They sold out earlier than expected.
The same area will be filled with even more people for the annual Pete's Bar Thanksgiving block party at 9 a.m. Every year, attendees say the events are all about bringing people and families together and enjoying each other's company and this year, First Coast News met someone who lives those words.
First Coast News met Contina Collins at the Westside company, Wealth Watchers' Thanksgiving giveaway as she was picking up a Publix gift card for a turkey and a bag with some sides. Collins has a lot she’s thankful for this year.
"Last year this time, I was going through stage one breast cancer so, I didn't have an opportunity to really cook for my family like I wanted to,” Collins said. “Even though my son isn't going to be here, I still want to contribute to the family that is here."
Collins is making dinner for at least 10 people and expects some of those people she won't even know.
"Whoever come[s] by in my family, they're more than welcome,” Collins said. “Friends, some strangers come by also. Someone always brings someone and I don't know them so, that's a friend, a new friend in my family."
As you go about your morning, keep in mind there will be a lot of traffic in the Beaches Town Center area with roads blocked off. Roads will be blocked off in the San Jose area for the earlier race as well.