TURKEY TROTS: HISTORY & COSTUMES

Afternoon Pie taken by Chad Miller November 23, 2006, Flicker.com CC2.0

ARE YOU READY?  Not sure whether you’ll participate in a Turkey Trot event this year? Or have you been training to run or walk a first 5k since September? Have you identified one near home or the location of the dinner you plan to enjoy that day? Do you plan to use Earned Runs bibs in a custom designed friendly competition?
 
Why all the questions? Because it’s November and time is running out to put plans in place.  An article by Jenny McCoy for RunnersWorld.com, “How the Turkey Trot Became the Most Popular Race in America,” might inspire some to get going.
 
Buffalo NY has a solid place in the history of the event, as it held the first TT in America in 1896, sponsored by the YMCA. It was an 8K, not the shorter 5k that is popular today. The article explains how the tradition grew and expanded.

One historical fact jumps out: women were not allowed to run the Buffalo race until 1972!!! It had not occurred to me before reading this piece that women were excluded from this (and probably other) holiday event for so many years. It makes sense that 1972 would be the year the race opened its gates to female runners: in April that year women were finally included in the Boston Marathon.
 
Until recently I felt I could not participate in TT fun because we ate an early afternoon big family dinner, and preparation efforts prevented a break to race. Very much enjoying all the cooking, baking, and table decorating craziness that went into creating a memorable and yummy celebration, I did not wish to mess with the process. One of the reasons Earned Runs was founded was to find a work-around to my dilemma in such circumstances.   I love my bibs; officially now I run or walk a TT every year now.
 
Are you fired up yet? The RW article includes a link to its Race Finder site to help you locate a holiday race nearby. This post has a link to the REQUEST BIBS page.  Four Earned Runs 'Turkey Trot' stickers are included, which are also free.
 
Still need encouragement? What if you knew costumes were common and welcomed at Turkey Trot races?  The RW piece also includes a link to the article “10 Delightfully Weird and Wonderful Turkey Trot Costumes.” They are truly unique and wonderful.  I was initially a bit disappointed, when I checked on line, that ready-made store-bought costumes are sold by at least one company. However, if commercial costumes increase enjoyment and participation,  it’s a good thing.
 
So, start planning. If you're involved in preparing dinner, REQUEST  Earned Runs bibs.
 
RUN HAPPY!
 
https://www.runnersworld.com/thanksgiving/how-the-turkey-trot-became-the-most-popular-race-in-america
 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Marathon
 
https://www.runnersworld.com/race-finder
 
https://www.runnersworld.com/thanksgiving/10-delightfully-weird-and-wonderful-turkey-trot-costumes
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https://sparkleathletic.com/thanksgiving-running-costume-round-up/
 

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