Drum Stick Dash Indianapolis wthr.images.worldn
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INDIANAPOLIS -
A lot of people in central Indiana plan to start day their Thanksgiving Day on the run. Channel 13 is proud to be a sponsor of the Drumstick Dash in Broad Ripple once again.
This is the ninth year for the dash, which keeps getting bigger. This year they are expecting up 15,000 people.
That's great news for Wheeler Ministries, which started the race to raise money for its many services.
"The obvious ones are sheltering, feeding and clothing the homeless. But a lot of people don't realize we have a long-term addiction recovery," said Steve Kerr, Wheeler Ministries.
Chuck Gardner is one of the people who owes his life to Wheeler.
"Wheeler has given me so much. It's a safe place to know God and a place to build solid relationships," he said.
Eyewitness News first reported Chuck's story last year as he trained for his first Drumstick Dash. A hard-core drug user for 15 years, he had finally turned things around after going through Wheeler's recovery program.
"I'm actually doing something good with my body. Instead of tearing it down, I'm building it up," he said.
A year later, Chuck works at the downtown YMCA and volunteers at Indy Metro church. He says he has a lot to be thankful for.
"I'm thankful for my family forgiving me for things I've done and never giving up on me. It's an amazing restoration that's taken place the last year and a half."
Chuck will again join thousands of others running the Drumstick Dash and he wants them to know how much they're helping Wheeler.
"I've seen so many lives changed and transformed through that organization and within that organization, just men who haven't had place to stay, people who are hungry and people who need shelter; also men struggling with addiction and so many other things. Wheeler has provided them with a safe place," said Gardner.
About the race
It starts at 9:00 am with a 4.5-mile course or one that goes 2.3 miles. The long course starts in front of the high school, heads east on Broad Ripple Ave., right on Burlington, then heads to Kessler all the way to College, winds around Central and Riverview and turns back to college, finishing up almost where it started.
Lot of people get decked out in turkey costumes (or dressed as their favorite canned vegetable) and have a good time.
If you haven't signed up for the Drumstick Dash, it's not too late. You can still sign up Thursday morning. The cost is $30 per person.
If you're participating, arrive early. A shuttle bus will run every 15 minutes (starting at 7:30am) from the Glendale Mall. Please park in the overflow lot that is just East of the mall off Rural Street between 62nd and Kessler.
You may pick up your packet or sign up late for the event at Broad Ripple High School on Wednesday, November 23th from 10AM to 6 PM or on event morning from 7:30 am to 8:45 am at Broad Ripple High School (just east of the BLUE MILE).
Drumstick Dash - Registration and course information
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