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Racers to carry well-run name
By JULIANNE WU © St. Petersburg Times, published November 21, 2000 CLEARWATER -- When thousands of participants don their Times Turkey Trot T-shirts for the big race Thursday,they will notice some writing on the back: "In Memory of Bob Henderson -- Mr. Turkey Trot."
Henderson, an avid distance runner in the 1970s and '80s and St. Petersburg Times editor and columnist, was a central figure in organizing the event in 1979. Henderson died of a stroke July 23. He was 65. Today the Turkey Trot is one of the most prestigious 10-kilometer races in Florida, thanks to Henderson's involvement, said race director Skip Rogers, who worked on the race with Henderson for the past two decades. Rogers predicts Thursday's event will attract about 12,000 participants, topping last year's turnout of 11,500. "The Turkey Trot is, to a point, Bob Henderson," Rogers said. "Bob poured his heart and soul into it and would have written about it every day if he could. He always had positive input even when he moved to North Carolina." "Bob is missed," Rogers said. "And there's nobody who has really replaced him." Mr. Henderson's widow, Ruth, said her whole family plans to take part in this year's Turkey Trot. "It's going to be hard," said Mrs. Henderson, from her daughter's house in Orlando. "But we've been at every single Turkey Trot since it started. We have to do this. "Bob felt it was such a wonderful way to bring families and the Clearwater community together," she said. "He loved Clearwater so much. I can remember that Bob used to arrive the night before to set everything up." Mrs. Henderson said her two sons, Jim of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Bryan of Fort Lauderdale, and her daughter, Carol Schneeberger, and her husband, Steve, will participate in this year's race. Also, making her first Turkey Trot appearance will be Mrs. Henderson's 11-week-old granddaughter, Hannah, born Sept. 4. Mr. Henderson's cousin Tom Borst and his wife, Alwyn, of Clearwater also will run in the event. Bob Henderson was associated with the Times in northern Pinellas county for 35 years, first as the editor of the Clearwater Times and then as a columnist. He retired three years ago and moved to Hendersonville, N.C. Named Clearwater editor in 1975, Henderson supervised the Times news report and wrote three or four columns a week. As the paper's circulation grew, so did Henderson's popularity. His column, always about local people and local goings-on, became required reading for those interested in their community. * * * Clearwater Municipal Services Building, 100 S. Myrtle Ave., or Allen's Sports Center, 6585 Seminole Blvd. in Seminole. $9 in advance for 5K and 10K events; $6 for 1-mile race. On Thursday, fees will be $12 for 5K and 10K and $7 for 1-mile event. Kick-off party: Wednesday, from 5 to 8 p.m., Jack White Stadium, Clearwater High School, 540 S. Hercules Ave. Free refreshments and entertainment. Thanksgiving Day: Thursday morning, all races begin on Keene Road just south of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and end at Jack White Stadium, Clearwater High School. Start times are: 7:30 a.m., 5K Wingding; 8:30 a.m., 1-mile Gobbler; and 8:45 a.m., 10K Turkey Trot. Participants are urged to bring canned goods and non-perishable food items for the Food Pantry program of the Religious Community Services, Inc. For race information, call 562-4700.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
Bob Henderson, who was known as "Mr. Turkey Trot," was instrumental in founding the race in 1979. He died July 23.
