OGDEN — Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, homemade rolls, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pie.

Sounds scrumptious, doesn’t it?

That’s what thousands of Utahns plan to dine on this Thursday, and while the traditional Thanksgiving meal is full of delicious food, the average plate per person adds up to anywhere between 3,000 and 4,500 calories, accord0ing to Consumerreports.org.

Prior to all that, however, is the opportunity for a run — or a brisk walk — at the 39th annual Thanksgiving Day Run/Walk at Ogden Regional Medical Center.

The event, co-sponsored by the Ogden Regional Medical Center and the Newman Center at Weber State University, will begin at the hospital, 5475 S. 500 East, Adams Avenue west parking lot, with registration at 8:15 a.m. The five-mile run and two-mile walk will start at 9 a.m.

The event comes with the added benefit of helping those in need. The only entry fee is any donation of nonperishable foods or monetary contributions to help support the Ogden Rescue Mission, Lantern House, Catholic Community Services and the Salvation Army in Ogden. Checks should be made payable to the Newman Center.

“The importance of this event has never been greater than it is at this time,” said Sister Stephanie Mongeon, former director of mission and community relations at the hospital. “Our Thanksgiving Run and Walk was established to help those in need in our community. We have so many who require help.”

Dan Walker was working as manager of the chemistry section of the laboratory at the hospital when it was still under the name of St. Benedict’s Hospital. It was there that he became friends with the Rev. Charles Cummins.

“We both liked to jog,” Walker said. “I went through Weber State on a track scholarship and was volunteering with their track team at the time, and he liked to pick my brain about training ideas and such. One day, he called me and said he had the idea of putting on a road race on the morning of Thanksgiving.”

Cummins asked Walker to help him coordinate the race and Walker jumped at the chance.

“I had access and the know-how of how to put a race together from getting the police to monitor intersections, getting porta potties, running a finish line, getting people organized, getting volunteers, all the stuff you don’t realize goes on behind the scenes,” Walker said. “Father Cummins said he didn’t want to make it a competition. Instead, he wanted to do this to help feed the hungry, so we decided we were going to do this and ask people to donate food or cash and let people run the race and help others before they go out and stuff their faces.”

Walker said he thought there would be a little community of people who would come and participate and it would eventually fizz out. Instead, it became a huge success and has grown every year.

In 2023, the event raised over $7,500 for local charities along with a full truck of food donations, said Craig Bielik, public relations director at Ogden Regional Medical Center.

“Sister Stephanie would always give the benediction, which was a fabulous way to start the day,” Walker said. “Lee Walser, who was a professor at Weber State, would start the race with a turkey gobble. I am so glad the success and growth has been measured in pounds of food and monetary donations. Father Cummins had a wonderful and meaningful vision. This event was all his idea and what a wonderful way to make a difference.”

A Thanksgiving Mass will also be celebrated at 7 a.m. in the education center of the hospital and is open to the public.

“By supporting these worthy organizations, we are able to reach out to others. This is the greatest sign of gratitude for our many blessings,” Mongeon said. “We experience the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Our reward is a good feeling knowing that we have helped make a difference in someone’s life, and, as a bonus, we get the chance to work off a bit of that big dinner we’re due to have later that day.”