Rhode Islanders still feeling thankful in the midst of the pandemic

CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WLNE) – While most Thanksgiving Day events went virtual, a few still went on. The annual turkey trot at Cumberland Monastery went on in-person with safety measures in place for the runners.

Despite the pouring rain, many runners still had a lot to be thankful for this year.

“I’m not thankful for 2020, but I’m thankful it’s almost over!” runner Matt Regan said.

This year, it’s hard to feel grateful when so many have lost so much. But, dozens of runners took off in the pouring rain feeling nothing but appreciative.

“I’m thankful for my family of course,” runner Laura Brannigan said. “I’m thankful for my small three person thanksgiving dinner tonight.”

“I’m thankful for my health,” Leslie Battle said. “I’m grateful for races that go on like this despite the rain, despite the pandemic. It makes you really appreciative where you’ve been in the past and where you’re going in the future.”

2020 has been a tough year. From nationwide lockdowns to job losses to saying goodbye to loved ones virtually. However, rather than looking back at what we don’t have people are instead realizing what we do.

“I think people are realizing life is a blessing and it can be short,” Matthew Droll said.

“It makes you grateful for your interaction with live human beings!” Battle said.

“Friends and family of course,” David Maher said. “My health. A chance to get out here and run today.”

Robb McCoy, the owner of Fit challenge says today was a blessing and he’s grateful to put on an event like this safely.

“We really just spread people out over the course of two and a half hours,” McCoy said. “Then there isn’t a back log of people all starting at once, no corralling of people anywhere. With everyone going on, it’s more of a mental health than it is a physical health exercise.”

Mile after mile, runners pushed through to the finish line understanding more than ever what it truly means to be thankful this Thanksgiving.

FitChallenge did have a run scheduled in December, but they had to cancel due to the Governor’s two-week pause. They hope to get things back up and running in the New Year.