TURKEY TROTTERS, LET’S MAKE IT A MILLION!

The 2015 Earned Runs greeting 'card'; on this holiday 901, 753 finishers were counted.

THE MOST POPULAR DAY OF THE YEAR TO RUN A RACE IS THANKSGIVING. All who have been training with the 2016 Turkey Trot with Track Days Beginner 5K Training Plan have a chance to help put this year’s finisher numbers over the million mark.
 
Last year, Thanksgiving maintained its No.1 spot in the USA as the favorite day to join with others in running a ‘race’, according to an item in the most recent RunningUSA.org newsletter. Since a tally was first recorded in 2011, the number of participants crossing finish lines increased each year, from a bit less than 700,000 to just over 900,000 in 2015. 
 
Participants may run, jog, walk and run, or just walk. They may be talked into the activity at almost the last minute, as everyone else piles into the car to drive to the race, or spend 4 or more weeks training to run the entire distance and cross the finish line. It’s possible that events this day represent ‘gateway’ races, which turn casual holiday joiners into dedicated runners, hooked on the sport for good.

The newsletter quotes Rich Harshbarger, Running USA CEO. “The sport of running is increasingly social, so it’s no surprise Thanksgiving turkey trots are on the rise with the holiday being centered around family and friends,” he said. “Becoming such a popular running day, it seems as if nearly every community has their own turkey trot, which only strengthens the community and family focus of the day.’”

If you haven’t yet made plans to run an organized event that day with your special social group there’s still a few days left to request Earned Runs bibs. For every single request, 4 bibs are mailed. The decision to put together a walk or run can be made at the last minute. Simply plot out an easy course beforehand, round everyone up, have them pin on a personal bib, and get going. Start your own personal “community” Turkey Trot tradition this year.

RUN HAPPY!

http://www.runningusa.org/thanksgiving