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MARIETTA - The sixth annual Gobble Jog to benefit MUST Ministries offers participants of all ages the opportunity to burn some calories a few hours before gobbling tukey on Thanksgiving.

The Nov. 27 race begins and ends at Marietta Square. Entrants can run or walk a 1K, 5K or 10K, with entrance fees ranging from $15 to $40. The 10K starts at 8 a.m., followed by the 1K race at 9:15 a.m. and the 5K at 9:30 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., there is a Tot Trot race around one-quarter of the Square for children ages 5 and younger.

"This is really a great way to kick off the holiday season," said Gobble Jog director Brooke Cowen of MUST. "It's MUST's largest fundraiser of the year."

Cowen said she expects more than 5,000 participants.

"It is very much a family-oriented event," she said. "There's something for everybody."

Last year, 4,720 people participated, and the Marietta-based nonprofit raised more than $120,000. Money collected supports all of MUST's programs including their food pantry, clothes closet and housing ministry.

MUST Ministries is a faith-based organization that serves the homeless in Cobb and Cherokee counties. It typically serves more than 29,000 people each year, Cowen said.

Following the race, MUST will serve Thanksgiving dinner to approximately 2,000 people in need.

Race participants can pre-register online at www.gobblejog.org. The cost for the timed 5K and 10K races are $25 in advance and $40 on race day. Registration includes a timing chip.

The cost of the untimed 5K is $20 in advance and $30 on race day. The 1K is $15 in advance and $20 on race day. The Tot Trot is $15. Organizers are offering teams a $2 discount per person to groups of 10 or more. Team members may participate in any race division. The team registration deadline is Nov. 15 and registration forms must be submitted together.

Cowen said people can also get the pre-registration price if they register in person at Marietta First United Methodist Church, 56 Whitlock St. in Marietta, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 26. A pre-race dinner will be served at the church for participants from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for $5.

The Gobble Jog is a certified qualifier for seeding in the Peachtree Road Race and the U.S. 10K Classic. All participants get T-shirts.

For more information, visit www.gobblejog.org or call (678) 218-4521.

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