THIS YEAR, THE GOBBLER RUN AND RUCK CARRIES EVEN DEEPER MEANING.

Since its inception in 2021, this event has honored the memory of Sgt. Henry Bender, an Army veteran who found strength and healing in Open Doors Outdoors hiking program and cheerfully volunteered at ODO events as an EMT. Each year, Henrys mother, Wanda, sends off the racers with words of gratitude for keeping Henry's light shining.

In that same spirit of love and remembrance, we are humbled to share that Wanda has graciously offered to extend this years tribute to Dillon Dupuis, a member of the Glastonbury High School Crew Team and Fire Cadets, as well as a volunteer at this Race and ODOs Autism Day event who recently passed away. Wanda knows the comfort that seeing a community come together in honor of a beloved son and friend brings and wants the Dupuis Family to feel that love too.

We like to think that Henry's spirit is with Dillon, offering him comfort and peace. So while this year's Gobbler will be a celebration of Dillon's life, we will keep Henry in our hearts. Both young men touched our community with kindness, courage and heart. May their memories guide our steps and remind us why we run, ruck and come together. May our presence at this event also serve to show these amazing families that their sons are loved and that we will help keep their light shining.

_"THERE ARE SOME WHO BRING A LIGHT SO GREAT TO THE WORLD THAT EVEN AFTER THEY ARE GONE THAT LIGHT REMAINS" _

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Open Doors Outdoors final event of the year lets also make it our biggest!

Burn off those Thanksgiving feast calories with this off-road adventure through the beautiful farm lands of South Glastonbury beginning and ending at the Hops on the Hill Brewery.

Ruck or run your choice of distances including 5k or 5-mile, then enjoy a fabulous finish line party with endless bowls of chili (meat and veggie options), smores and a freshly-brewed pint from Hops on the Hill Brewery (non-alcoholic beverages available too). All participants who register by November 15 are guaranteed a cool wood-composite bowl for your post-race chili from Maple Origins - a veteran/family-owned business located in Southington - and a cool finisher's patch (ruck) or medal (run).

TEAM INCENTIVE!! The four teams with the most amount of registrations will win a pair of adidas shoes (compliments of Marathon Sports Glastonbury where winners will go to select their shoes). Teams can award the free pair of shoes to anyone on their team (raffle, captain, etc).

Race is professionally timed and the top 3 Male & Female Finishers in each event win huge homemade pies donated by Lyman Orchards; overall winners earn ODO swag too!

The 5-mile races begin at 10:00am; 5k at 10:15am and Kids Run at 11:15am

Ruckers: Please consider loading your backpack with canned goods and/or peanut butter that can then be donated to Veterans Basecamp's food pantry.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Don't want to run/ruck? Consider volunteering. Select your role here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/CT/SouthGlastonbury/ODOGobblerRunRuck. All volunteers get access to the after party (chili, beverage, s'mores), as well as cool chili bowl and one lucky volunteer will win a pair of adidas shoes (to be selected/picked-up at Marathon Sports Glastonbury).

Registration fee is $40 - day of registration is $45. Soup bowl & patch/medal are NOT guaranteed for those who register after November 15.

Packet Pick-up will be available on Friday, Nov 28 at Marathon Sports in Glastonbury.

The Lil Gobblers Activity Program is back again this year!! This special program for kids aged 4+ will keep them entertained (and safe) while Mom/Dad run/ruck. Kids program begins at 10am and culminates with the kids run at 11:15am. Cost for the Kids Activity Program is $15/child.