More than a quarter century after its inception, the Gobble Gait has become a staple of Hastings’ calendar. Each year money is raised for Hastings Family Service (HFS) to donate food and clothing to families in need. This year marks a specific goal for the race: “Gobble Gait has raised over $2 million to support critical programs and services provided by Hastings Family Service since the race began,” according to a press release from HFS.
2024 will mark the 27th Gobble Gait, an event originating from Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender and Jay Kochendorfer wanting to bring a Thanksgiving Turkey trot to Hastings. The first year the event raised $4,600. While breaking previous year’s amounts has always been a goal for the event, says Fasbender, the totals grew exponentially. Last year’s Gobble Gait raised some $130,000 for HFS.
While originally under the careful planning of Fasbender, Kochendorfer, and Brian Radke, in recent years HFS has taken over the planning of the event with a committee meeting weekly after August in order to work with Hastings police, firefighters, local businesses and city officials.
“They just have more resources than we do,” said Fasbender.
HFS Philanthropy Coordinator Victoria Wellman spoke to HFS’ larger role in the event in recent years building relationships with sponsors and working with the race management service that helps plan the race itself.
“We have it all laid out in a binder and in our spreadsheets,” said Wellman.
While much of the planning for the event continues year over year including support from local teachers and their students to help register runners and hand out water along the course, this year residents will notice several changes that HFS and Fasbender are keeping close to their chests.
First and foremost, the only packet pickup location will be at the Hastings VFW with expanded hours Tuesday, Nov. 26 from noon. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 27 from noon to 8 p.m. Previously race participants could pick up their race packets at the Woodbury Running Room which recently closed.
Despite only having one location, with additional laptops for registration and the extended hours, Fasbender is hoping to have “a bigger rotation this year,” of crowds in and out of the VFW in order to avoid long lines.
Second, Fasbender hinted at an extra “trinket” with the race packet this year, although she nor HFS officials would go into detail about it. Another mum secret about the race that longtime participants will notice is a lack of a Hastings firetruck hoisting the American flag. Again while Fasbender wouldn’t go into detail about the replacement, “I think it will be even more special,” she said.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, Spiral Brewery hosted a Taproom Takeover where HFS officials spoke with residents about the event.
“Since we don’t have in-person sign up, we are just getting the word out,” said Wellman.
To sign up for the race, visit the Gobble Gait website at https://www.gobblegait.com/. The cost is $40 for the 8K and $20 for the 2K.