As we approach a holiday known primarily for over-eating, there are some that have decided to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by participating in a healthy challenge and giving back to their community.

Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) participated in a Turkey Trot 5K, Nov. 19, at Sandy Bottom Park in Newport News, Virginia.

The run was organized by the Abraham Lincoln First Class Petty Officers Association as a Thanksgiving-themed event with the intent of giving back to junior Sailors.

The run also gave back to the community by waving the entrance fee in lieu of participants donating canned goods. Approximately 50 cans were collected and then distributed to ForKids, a local charity that specializes in ending family homelessness.

"I wanted us to come out here before Thanksgiving because we normally don't do much for the holiday," said Petty Officer 1st Class Lucas Mabe, the event coordinator. "It was a really good way to give back to the junior Sailors and give them something that they can participate in."

MWR provided prizes for the top three male and female runners as well as a prize for best runner overall.

"It was a really good race," said Seaman Calib Perkins, the top overall runner. "It was a bit tricky with the turns and the directions but, overall, it was great."

Lincoln is in the final stages of a four year Refueling and Complex Overhaul and is scheduled to be delivered back to the fleet in early 2017.


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