Event keeps growing and giving

It was superb weather for participants of the 2024 Aledo Thanksgiving Trot. However, runners did not see pre-dawn complications such as high winds, runaway banners and frustratingly stubborn power generators. Before the 8 a.m. gun, everything was calm and all systems go.

The grassroots annual event, which has grown tremendously over the years, benefits one family or individual experiencing medical difficulties.

This year's recipient is Derek Vierling, Aledo High School educator and coach for more than two decades - and current boys head soccer coach and assistant football coach.

"I was not very receptive when they asked me about filling out the application," Vierling remembered.  "I suggested that maybe they share it with multiple families but they convinced me that the community wanted to support us. It is very humbling to say the least."

Vierling has been battling Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Lymphoblastic Leukemia for two years. Viering's medical issues came after his wife, Kelley, was diagnosed with cancer, all incidents accumulating large medical expenses.

"As a person who has always served my family, my community and my country, it has been hard to accept something of this magnitude," the United States Marine Veteran said.  "My family is so blessed to call this community home. I never in a million years thought that something like this would happen to us. Aledo is a very special town and I'm so blessed to have been working here going on 24 years now."

This year's event raised $122,000 for the Verling family.

First finishers in the one mile for women were Audry Reaves, Emma Davis and Elena Dyson. First finishers in the one mile for the men were Aaryan Kagwal, Brooks Bohn and Clark Happ.

First finishers in the 5k for the women were Rebecca Lugo, Kaitlyn Greenwalt and Jessie Heath. First finishers in the 5k for the men were Jace Lay, Aaron Kagwal, who won the one mile event as a warmup, and Jared McNeil.

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