The Pacific Marine Credit Union O’side Turkey Trot has become a North County tradition at which thousands celebrate the joy of moving, while giving thanks for friends, family and health. For Tri-City Christian ninth-grader Andrew Seelhoff, this year’s Thanksgiving Day 5K will, remarkably, be all that and more.

Seelhoff will participate in his first 5K since having much of his right leg amputated in June. It will be part of an unlikely journey that Seelhoff hopes will inspire others.

Seelhoff had suffered with a painful condition called a vascular malformation in his right leg. He spent much of his time in a wheelchair, in constant pain. Finally, in April, he made a decision to have the diseased portion of his leg amputated. The operation was done in June and by July, Seelhoff was speaking to youth groups and raising money for the Challenge Athletes Foundation (CAF), which he credits with helping him decide to have his leg amputated and now has helped him with a prosthetic leg.

After receiving his new leg, Seelhoff customized it with a Tri-City Christian design, then decided he would use it to challenge himself at the O’side Turkey Trot.

He is hoping his story may one day help someone else. And, he will be the first to say that he has much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day race, starting with the support of his family, classmates at Tri-City Christian, friends, and CAF.

“Andrew is my son’s good friend…it’s been an amazing process,” said Leslee Gaul, President/CEO of Visit Oceanside Conference & Visitors Bureau. “It looks like he’s doing the Turkey Trot!”

In recent days, Team Andrew Seelhoff has climbed up to seventh place in the OTT Team Competition. Be sure to show your support for Andrew by offering your encouragement on race day.