The 32nd annual running of the 5K Turkey Bowl at Tel Hai Camp and Retreat in Honey Brook will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23. Also featured will be a 1-mile children's fun run.

This year's event will begin with registration and race packet pickup from 7:45 to 9:20 a.m. The fun run will begin at 9:10 a.m. The 5K race will follow at 9:40 a.m.

This year, fully automated registration will be offered. "We continue to offer online registration, which can be accessed from the Turkey Bowl page of our website," explained Bruce Gregory, camp director. "Online registration will be open until the end of check-in on race day. Participants may register online before they arrive or when they arrive using their cellphones." Mail-in registration forms are also available on the event website.

The 5K will take participants on a course through the camp and around the lake along paved, gravel and grassy paths. Chip timing for the 5K will be provided by Second Wind Race Timing. The 1-mile children's fun run for youths age 12 and under will stay on the main grounds of the camp. Adults who would like to run with their children can participate at no charge.

First-place trophies will be awarded to the overall female and male runners of the 5K, and medals will be given to the top three finishers in various age groups. Children who complete the fun run will receive a finisher's medal.

"Last year, we had 352 finishers in the 5K face and 77 finishers in the 1-mile children's fun run," Gregory reported.

The Unruh family of Morgantown, including Kristy and Austin and their sons, Hudson and Marshall, have been participating in the event annually. Last year, Kristy enjoyed the fun run with her sons. She has also run the 5K in past years. "We are long-term supporters of the camp, and we love to volunteer or run," said Kristy.

Kristy pointed out that she has been attending the Turkey Bowl since 2007, when she was a teenager. Now, her sons look forward to the event. "The boys like to see the participants (who) dress up like turkeys and Pilgrims," she noted. "We have seen every form of weather but there are always good sports that are ready to run, even with costumes."

Other regular participants include Caleb Smoker of Elverson, who competed in the 5K last year with his son, Caiden, 7. His 6-year-old twins take part in the fun run. "We have a long history at Tel Hai," said Caleb. "My older sister was a camp cook when she was in high school."

Caleb said that he enjoys the event because it is something the family can do together. "Anytime you can go spend some time with your kids and celebrate the gift of running ... it is a good thing to do," he said, adding that the competition can teach youngsters about perseverance and goal setting.

To register for the Turkey Bowl, visit http://www.telhaicamp.org/events/turkey-bowl-run.

The camp is located along Beaver Dam Road, 1.5 miles east of Route 10. The GPS address is 31 Lasso Drive, Honey Brook. For more information, visit the previously mentioned website or contact Gregory at 610-273-3969 or bruce@telhaicamp.org.