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.

Participating for the first time last year was Bella Byler of Gap, an eighth-grader at Pequea Valley Intermediate School. Bella is familiar with Tel Hai because her great-grandparents were among the founders of the camp. She has also attended summer camp at the location.

Bella said that she competed in the 5K last year as a way to train for cross-country. "My grandparents wanted me to run because I run cross-country and it (would help) keep me in shape for next year's season," said Bella, noting that fall cross-country goes from August through October. "I like the long distance a lot better than (short distance) track and field."

She said that she had to power through last year's cold temperatures. "For middle school, the cross-country races are usually 2 miles, and in high school they are 5K distance. It wasn't hard, but it was chilly, so my muscles were stiff, (but) I finished pretty well," Bella added, noting that she finished the race with a time of 34 minutes, 30 seconds. "I would like to try and get 30 minutes this year."

Following last year's Turkey Bowl, Bella returned home to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with her extended family. "My family hosted, and we had a big spread when we got home," she said.

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.

To register for the Turkey Bowl, visit http://www.telhaicamp.org/events/turkey-bowl-run. Those who register by Thursday, Nov. 9, will be guaranteed an event T-shirt.

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.