YMCA Turkey Gobble Race Finish Line

From Survivor to Thriver: How the Tampa YMCA’s Turkey Gobble Changes Lives

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This Thanksgiving, thousands of runners will take over downtown Tampa in support of childhood cancer survivors. The Tampa YMCA Turkey Gobble 5 K & 1 Mile returns to the Benchmark International Arena on Nov. 26.

Now in its 12th year, the annual event funds the Tampa YMCA’s healthy living programs, including Thriver’s Club, a 12-week program that supports children affected by cancer and their families.

Few people can speak more about the Thriver’s Club’s long-lasting impact than coach Valeria Benavidez.

As a Thriver’s Club coach, Benavidez works with children and teenagers to help them regain confidence following cancer treatment.

Through weekly instruction, participants build strength, endurance, mobility and balance through a variety of games, activities and low-impact exercises. The program helps young people overcome the physical deconditioning caused by cancer treatment to feel stronger and more capable.

Benavidez recalls a specific success regarding a 14-year-old participant in the program at Riverview’s Spurlino Family YMCA.

“She wanted to do the triathlon that Spurlino does every year, so we started training for it specifically,” says Benavidez.

By the end of the program, the participant successfully completed the indoor triathlon and achieved other personal fitness goals, including improving her ability to continuously jump rope and swim laps.

“You could tell that she had regained the confidence and trust in her body, and knew that she could do hard things,” she adds.

YMCA Turkey Gobble Race committee

The benefits of Thriver’s Club extend beyond the individual child to include the entire family. Participants receive a complimentary YMCA family membership, giving parents a dedicated space to work out while their child participates in the program. The membership also provides much-needed relief for families navigating the stress of cancer recovery.

The Turkey Gobble funds the program in its entirety through donations and race registrations.

“If you’re donating or participating in the race, you’re genuinely making an impact in these kids’ lives and these families’ lives,” says Benavidez. “You’re helping these families that have gone through so much and giving them that space to step away from all the craziness. It means the world to them.”

The Thriver’s Club program culminates at the Turkey Gobble, where participants complete the 1-mile walk.

“Some of them run,” adds Benavidez.

The race takes place on Thursday, Nov. 26, and is open to participants of all ages and abilities. The 5 K begins at 7 a.m., and the 1 Mile Fun Run begins at 8:15 a.m. Runners are encouraged to register and donate on the Tampa YMCA website at tampaymca.org.

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Presented by Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA | Originally published in the October 2026 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine