Our History
Gobbler's Run began with a simple idea, and a community willing to make it happen.
Longtime Boys & Girls Club supporter Russ Redd has been connected to the organization for decades. He attended the Wake County Boys & Girls Clubs as a child in the 1980s, worked at the Wake Forest Club in the 1990s, and later served on the Club's Unit Board. During a board meeting, the idea of hosting a 5K fundraiser was introduced. While the concept generated excitement, no one stepped forward to lead it.
Russ brought the idea home to his wife, Cat Redd, and she decided to turn the vision into reality.
Cat enlisted the help of friend and experienced race director Kim Fordham, whose expertise in race planning and logistics proved invaluable. Together, Cat, Kim, Russ, and a dedicated team of volunteers laid the foundation for what would become one of Wake Forest's favorite Thanksgiving traditions.
The decision to hold the race on Thanksgiving morning was met with some skepticism, but the community quickly embraced the idea. Kim coordinated race timing and registration, Russ secured sponsors and donations, and Cat managed the race course, marketing, and countless behind-the-scenes details.
When the inaugural Gobbler's Run took place on Thanksgiving morning in 2006, organizers hoped for 100 participants. Instead, 314 runners and walkers showed up, exceeding every expectation.
The momentum only grew. In its second year, 716 participants registered; so many that organizers ran out of race bibs and T-shirts. Even without the official race swag, people happily donated and joined the event, proving that supporting the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club was what mattered most.
Nearly two decades later, Gobbler's Run has become a beloved community tradition. Each Thanksgiving, more than 2,000 runners and walkers gather to kick off the holiday while giving back to local children. Thanks to the incredible generosity of participants, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners, Gobbler's Run has now raised more than $1,000,000 to support the Wake Forest Boys & Girls Club and its mission of helping young people reach their full potential.
What started as one idea around a boardroom table has become a lasting legacy that continues to strengthen our community, one Thanksgiving morning at a time.