LOLZLetter 301 | Thanksgiving Miles: Exploring the Most Popular Turkey Trots
Welcome,
Thank you to everyone who shared the newsletter last week! The winner is Rebecca T. who shared via email. Just reply back here to get you squared away :-)
Happy Thanksgiving for all of my USA friends celebrating Thanksgiving this week. The first race many runners do is a turkey trot. In fact, it was my first race in 2009. The archives bring me this photo or dad and I running the Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot... (I would totally purchase it, but the company has gone out of business).
A few people know that last Friday, I ran the base Turkey Trot 10k. They only gave one award to the first person to cross the finish line: a frozen turkey. Since, that included both men and women, I didn’t anticipate winning. I won, and ended up running the two miles back home carrying a frozen turkey. I was supposed to run another turkey trot on Saturday, but I came down with some sort of sickness while on the East Coast and am getting over that.
Did you know Thanksgiving is the most popular day for road races?
How did that happen?
The first Turkey Trot started with just six runners in Buffalo, New York, in 1896. Since then, Turkey Trots have become widely popular. This holiday now boasts the largest number of runners and racers compared to any other day of the year, with as many as 1 million or more individuals joining the festivities to run a Turkey Trot.
Most areas in the USA host some sort of Turkey Trot. Turkey Trots are so popular that there are even a few in the Mojave Desert near me. I thought it would be fun to look at some of the more popular ones. I would love if you added your local turkey trot in the comments.
Buffalo Niagara YMCA Turkey Trot (Buffalo, NY)
You have to include the first one, right? The Buffalo Niagara YMCA Turkey Trot is the oldest running race in North America. Fun fact: there was a record-breaking snowstorm in 2002, and it was still held.
Proceeds from the Buffalo Niagara Turkey Trot help make YMCA programs and services accessible to people in the community who cannot afford them.
Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot (Dallas, TX)
The Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot event hosts about 50,000 people—almost as many as the New York City Marathon! There is an 8-mile race and a 5K.
Fun fact: In 2011, it set a world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys. I wish I had known!
Dana Point Turkey Trot (Dana Point, CA)
The Dana Point Turkey Trot is so old, the URL is turkeytrot.com. Established in 1977, it now hosts 11,000 runners. It’s one of the most scenic Turkey Trots, offering views of the Pacific Ocean. I may try and do this one next year.
Fun fact: It benefits the Dana Point Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9934.
Feast and Feathers Trail Half-Marathon/10K/5K (Omaha, NE)
There aren’t many trail Turkey Trots, but the Feast and Feathers offers this, along with a free kids' trot for those who donate five cans of food.
In 2018, the Feast and Feathers Races donated $24,000 and 1,452 pounds of food to the Food Bank for the Heartland.
Manchester Road Race (Manchester, CT)
The Manchester 5 Mile Road Race is one of New England’s most famous road races and the largest race in Connecticut. Over 15,000 runners compete, with over 20,000 spectators cheering them on.
O’side Turkey Trot (Oceanside, CA)
I've signed up for this Turkey Trot a few times but couldn’t run due to life or injury. Hopefully, this year is the year! Usually, you can run a 5K, 5-mile, or both, but this year they’ve changed it to two 5Ks an hour apart. I’m planning to run both. The event features a costume contest, team competitions, live entertainment, and finisher medals.
Proceeds support the Move Your Feet Before You Eat! foundation, benefiting local nonprofits with over $500,000 raised.
Run to Feed the Hungry (Sacramento, CA)
With over 29,000 runners between the 5K and 10K, this is one of the largest Turkey Trot events in the country. Maybe one day I'll get up to Sacramento on Thanksgiving to run.
All profits directly benefit Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS), a local nonprofit agency providing emergency goods and services.
Run for the Diamonds (Berwick, PA)
I've heard of people winning turkeys and pies at Turkey Trots, but diamonds? The top seven males and females for this 9 mile race win diamond rings and pendants. That might be worth the trip!
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot (San Jose, CA)
There is a 5K, a 10K, and kids' runs. It sounds like one of the most competitive Turkey Trots out there. Many professionals are known to attend, including Steph Bruce toeing the line.
From the race: $8.7 million donated to local charitable programs, 2.9 million pounds of food provided to families, and 3,738 individuals placed in affordable housing.
Six Tunnels to Hoover Dam Turkey Trot (Las Vegas, NV)
This seems like a fun and unique idea for a race, Turkey Trot or not. As the name implies, you run through six tunnels to Hoover Dam. There is a 12K, 5K, and 1-mile option.
Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot (Detroit, MI)
If you’re looking for races with the catchiest names, this is it! This Trot is home to the “Mashed Potato Mile” and “Drumstick Double,” which includes a 5K and 10K. Over 21,000 runners compete in this Turkey Trot.
Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot 10K (Virginia Beach, VA)
The Tidewater Striders Turkey Trot has been around for 42 years! About 1,500 runners race through neighborhoods and around the infamous Mount Trashmore.
Why is this in the newsletter? It was my first-ever race in 2009 (photo at the top). My dad ran alongside me because he was injured. We ran about 1:06:00—it was the only race I ran that year. My next race was almost a year later.
Of course, whether you choose to run a Turkey Trot or not won’t impact your status as a “runner.” It’s perfectly fine if they aren’t your scene. Celebrate the holiday of giving thanks however you prefer!
What is Keeping Me Entertained?
Mizuno Wave Rider 28 Shoe Review
Richmond Half Marathon Recap 1:31.03
Here’s Why There Are So Many Top Kenyan Runners in the NCAA This Year — Scholarbook & the New NCAA Math: Not usually a LetsRun fan, but this was super interesting of why there are so many top Kenyans in the NCAA now.
After Drug Ban, Shelby Houlihan Prepares for Return to Racing: This will be...very interesting to see what brand or teams accepts it.
The Running Club North Turkey Trot in Fairbanks, AK is usually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. It's one of my favorite races because it's the only one I have a snowball's chance in you-know-where to win. It's a 5K and the winner is whoever finishes closest to their predicted finish time. You're not allowed to wear (or use) a watch. I won in 2017 by finishing within 1 second of my prediction! They also give an award to whoever finishes furthest from their predicted time, but people don't usually brag about that.
Recently admitted at a party that I never do turkey trots, and I was surprised by how shocked everyone was. For me Thanksgiving is already such a busy day; I like to run on my own first thing, but I can't handle the added logistics of driving somewhere and dealing with crowds. I'm glad others are able to enjoy them though!