November 8, 2016                                                                 

TURKEY TROT TO BENEFIT BREASTFEED BAY

Contact:
Heather Kretzer
heather.kretzer@flhealth.gov
850-872-4455, ext. 1344

Panama City, Fla.— Breastfeed Bay, The Community Health Task Force’s Breastfeeding Task Force of Bay County & Surrounding Areas, will be the beneficiary of the Mexico Beach Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24. The race will start and end at Under the Palms Park. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. so runners will have plenty of time to complete the course before their Thanksgiving meals.   

“I chose Breastfeed Bay as this year's beneficiary because they have a goal to normalize, support and promote breastfeeding across the area and to help mothers reach their breastfeeding goals.  Good nutrition starts in utero and continues as soon as a child takes his or her first sips of liquid gold.  Breastfeeding isn't always easy and a supportive personal and professional network are crucial for success; Breastfeed Bay helps to create that environment in our area.  As a mom of two children who thrived on liquid gold, I believe that I get to see the benefits of their early nutrition every day and that's something that I want to support for all of the families in our area,” said April Wisdom, the director of the Turkey Trot, Health Promotion Flight Commander at Tyndall Air Force Base and a member of Breastfeed Bay.

Race day registration will be available starting at 7:00 a.m. Pre-registration is available now on Active.com. Individual runners are $30 with a shirt, the no t-shirt option is $15. Active Duty military race for free, t-shirts are not included with this option. Retired military can run for only $10, again no shirt is included with this discounted entry. Runners who register for a t-shirt option will receive a long sleeve shirt.

Packet pick-up will be on Wednesday, November 23 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. also at the Mexico Beach Civic Center at 105 North 31^st Street. Alternatively, runners can get their packets on race day from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. at Palms Park. Palms Park is located on 7^th Street between Georgia and Maryland Avenues in Mexico Beach.

The Mexico Beach Turkey Trot is proud to have 14 sponsors this year. The race will feature CHIP timing by Gulf Coast Race Timing. There will also be a professional photographer to capture runners competing or just having fun for a good cause.

Proceeds will help Breastfeed Bay work on initiatives in the Community Health Improvement Plan to help increase initiation rates of breastfeeding as well as the duration mother’s breastfeed their babies. Breast milk is easier for the baby to digest, it contains antibodies that can help keep infants from getting sick, and it helps infants have a healthier weight, even later in life. For moms, breastfeeding has been linked to decreased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and Type 2 diabetes. Action plans include creating a campaign that emphasizes the benefits of mother’s milk; recognizing employers, childcare facilities and business that support breastfeeding mothers; and providing comfortable nursing options for moms and babies at area events.

To learn more about the Mexico Beach Turkey Trot like their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MexicoBeachTurkeyTrot5K. To support this and other efforts of Breastfeed Bay, contact Heather Kretzer, Community Health Task Force Liaison at 850-872-4455, ext. 1344 or email heather.kretzer@flhealth.gov.

About the Community Health Task Force

The goal of Community Health Task Force is to develop and implement comprehensive, community-based health promotion and wellness programs in the Bay County area.

For more information about the Community Health Task Force please visit www.communityhealthtaskforce.org. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/baychtf.