A mother tragically lost 2 sons. She finds solace, helps others at Turkey Trot

Nov. 22--VIRGINIA BEACH -- Ever since the death of Elise Normile's toddler seven years ago, her family's annual Thanksgiving Day race has been therapy.

"Holidays aren't easy for anyone who's lost a loved one," Normile said as hundreds of runners assembled at the starting line outside Sandbridge Island Restaurant early Thursday. "The tradition, the empty chair and the reminders are very difficult to face."

Charlie Normile was 2 years old when he fell into the family swimming pool and drowned. Since then, the Charlie Normile Turkey Trot has helped Normile heal by giving the Sandbridge-area community a regular occasion to celebrate his life. Today, the race also honors Charlie's big brother, who died the following year in a car wreck.

The boys' deaths rocked Sandbridge, where the Normiles lived, and neighbors have since rallied around them.

"Once you know this family, you don't let go," said Barbara Pfeufer, who has attended the event at least five times since it started. "I love her."

Now a popular Sandbridge tradition, the race launched in 2011 when about 500 people showed up in support of the Normiles. Organizer Michelle Nassan said turnout has since been steady at about 750 people, which is how many ran on Thursday.

The event consists of a 1-mile run, a 5K run and the Wobble Gobble, a 26.2-yard run for small children.

"It's really become a community event," Nassan said. "A lot of people who come here, they do it for therapeutic reasons because they've also lost someone. A lot of people have made it a tradition -- it's something that they do with their families each year."

Fees and donations collected from participants will go to the Virginia Beach-based Navy SEAL Foundation and a toy drive organized by the Noblemen, a local charity group that aims to help children.

"We love the Normiles," said Michelle Lehman, whose daughters and husband ran on Thursday. "How can you not support something that's in Charlie's name?"

___

(c)2018 The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.)

Visit The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.) at pilotonline.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.