Banner Health & Weld Legacy Foundation celebrate 28 years of the Greeley Turkey Trot
GREELEY, Colo. (Nov. 20, 2025) – Thanksgiving morning in Greeley will once again kick off with Northern Colorado’s popular holiday tradition, the annual NCMC Turkey Trot, hosted by the Banner Health CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado and the Weld Legacy Foundation. The race, celebrating its 28th year, invites participants of all ages and abilities to take part in a 5K Turkey Trot or 2K Gobbler Trek Fun Run/Walk, both on a scenic U.S.A. Track and Field–certified course. The event begins at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, at Banner North Colorado Medical Center, located at 1801 16th St., and is presented by Chevron.
Each year, organizers honor patients whose recovery stories showcase the incredible impact that cardiac and pulmonary rehab can have. This year’s pulmonary rehab honorary chair, Camey Demmitt, 53, was diagnosed with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension on her birthday in January 2024. Determined to regain her strength and independence, Demmitt began pulmonary rehab at Banner Health’s CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado, an experience she says gave her life back.
“Pulmonary rehab has helped me regain strength, stamina, confidence and hope,” Demmitt said. “The therapists have been incredible. They’ve taught me how to move safely, breathe better and keep pushing forward at my own pace. Their support has made all the difference in the world. I honestly can’t sing the program’s praises enough.”
The cardiac rehab honorary chair, Rod Poeschl, began NCMC’s rehabilitation program in 2018 after an unexpected cardiac event led to two stents in his “widow-maker” artery, a major coronary artery that supplies blood to a large portion of the heart. He shared how the Banner team’s expert care and compassion helped restore his strength and spirit.
“Their support has been nothing short of overwhelming,” Poeschl said. “They’ve carried me through every challenge.” Even as he now faces a new battle with cancer, Poeschl says the team’s continued support continues to lift him up.
The Weld Legacy Foundation uses proceeds from the Turkey Trot to provide financial assistance to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients who would otherwise be unable to participate in care. Last year, the event drew more than 2,500 participants and raised over $56,000 to help individuals recover from cardiac or pulmonary conditions. Rehabilitation offered by the CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado helps patients rebuild strength and confidence to return to their daily lives after a serious diagnosis or surgery.
Early registration for the 2025 Turkey Trot is now open at RunSignup.com through Friday, Nov. 21, at 6 p.m. Registration costs $33.53 per adult (including fees) and $22.85 for youth ages 1–17. After Nov. 21, prices increase for both online and in-person registration. Participants can also sign up in person before the event or on race day at NCMC. Visit The Weld Legacy Foundation website for full details and packet pick-up times.
For more information on the NCMC cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation programs, please call (970) 810-6204.
About Banner North Colorado Medical Center
Banner North Colorado Medical Center is a fully accredited, private, nonprofit facility licensed in Greeley, Colorado owned by Banner Health, a nonprofit health care system with 33 hospitals in six states. It serves as a regional medical center offering a comprehensive scope of community-based and specialty health care services for areas including southern Wyoming, western Nebraska, western Kansas and northeastern Colorado. It offers emergency care, cancer care, heart care, orthopedics, inpatient and outpatient surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, rehabilitation, intensive care, lab and medical imaging and medical air transport. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/ncmc.
