A Morning of Miles & Smiles at the Gobble Gobble Thanksgiving Day 5k!

Before the sun peeked over the Bay, over 1,500 runners laced up their sneakers and gathered for the 23rd annual Gobble Gobble Thanksgiving Day 5K at The Village Shops, hosted by Elite Events. Under the glow of a crescent moon and surrounded by the illumination of palm trees, the early risers were ready to run.

As the sun came up, runners checked in, stretched, and made their way to the starting line. The course was quite a picturesque path with lush landscaping, the sun shining through the palm trees, and the Venetian Bay perfectly still and reflecting all the beauty around it. Gratitude was growing by the second.

At 7:30am, the National Anthem played, followed by the rumble of a Naples Police Mustang, lights flashing, ready to lead the runners down Gulf Shore Blvd. As the countdown hit zero, they were off!

Minutes later, the finish line filled with people and cheers, as runners earned medals for a job well done or should we say a race well run.

The fun didn’t stop there! Participants continued the sprint to The Village Shops tent for complimentary post-race goodies – protein bars, hats, water bottles, and t-shirts.

Shortly after, the courtyard for Black Letter Coffee + Café quickly filled as runners rushed over for a caffeine fix. With calories burned and coffee in hand, it was time to head home, gear up for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at one of The Village’s delicious dining spots, of course with the plan to return all weekend long for Black Friday shopping and unbeatable sales!

We’ll see you back soon at The Village Shops on Venetian Bay, located at 4200 Gulf Shore Blvd North Naples, Florida 34103. The Village Shops can be reached by calling 239-261-6100. To stay up-to-date on the latest happenings, visit The Village Shops website at https://www.venetianvillage.com and Facebook/Instagram/TikTok pages @VenetianVillage.