By: Jessica Cihacek
jcihacek@kcautv.com
Thurston, Nebraska may be home to Watermelon Days, but it's also home to a family tradition for some.
The Turkey Trot.
With much to be grateful for, more than 300 participants say running is on their list. That and their health. And being thankful for their health is something they learned from Thurston native, avid runner and the founder of the town's Turkey Trot, Carol Smith.
She was diagnosed with late state ovarian cancer back in June and she's still hitting the pavement.
Carol says, "I'm not a sick person. I'm a healthy person who has cancer. I was so healthy going into this from the running and I just want to show everyone else, 'hey, it's not too late, you don't have to run, you can walk, do whatever,' don't take your health for granted and that's kind of what I'm hoping to show everybody."
Carol says today is about family. It's about loving the life you were given and living it to the fullest. No matter what may stand in your path.
She adds, "I can do this. I can beat this. I don't care what the statistics say. I'm not a statistic and if I can get out there and run now, so can you guys."
All the proceeds from today's event will go to the Pender girls basketball team, promoting healthy lifestyles not only in Thurston, but surrounding communities as well.
