Turkeys in Training

Thanksgiving Turkey Trots

By Laura Clark

What is a turkey’s favorite day? The day after Thanksgiving, naturally. In anticipation, my turkeys have been in serious training since this spring, when approximately 20 poults and their assorted nannies made themselves at home in my backyard. It has been fun watching them progress from rolly-polly fluff balls to serious contenders determined not to be dinner table honorees. My cat, Riley, however, has his reservations about these free boarders, but his dinner aspirations badly outnumber him.

There’s something about following up honest effort with a justifiable culinary reward that turns even normally sedentary folk into turkeys in training. In fact, across the United States, Thanksgiving is claws down the most popular day to hold a race. Just take a gander at our area, with almost everyone living within a half hour’s drive of an organized opportunity to strut their stuff, whether walking or running. If this will be your only race and you are not cocksure about the outcome, do consider joining a training program next year. Both Fleet Feet and the Troy Turkey Trot provide training packages for those who crave the motivation of running with the flock. Additionally, some herders like runsignup.com offer tips and tricks webinars on navigating race day logistics.

This year you are encouraged to wring more mileage out of your turkey day training by racing at Bolton parent teacher organization’s early bird special on Saturday, November 23. The Bolton PTO Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk and Kids Block Trot begin at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Bolton Landing and benefit Bolton Central School District’s PTO activities. The main event is an out-and-back route, with a mix of flats and hills, appealing to a wide variety of palates. A genuine family-pleaser, with fees ranging from $5 per student, $10 per adult and $20 per family, this is an affordable experience for all. To trim costs, $5 T-shirts are available first-come, first-served on race day. Dress for success and score one of the costume prizes, or get serious and shoot for an age group award. (boltoncsd.org)

Moving onto the big day, we are fortunate that in the Capital-Saratoga Region we are invited to step up to the plate for the 72nd running of the Troy Turkey Trot, coincidentally the nation’s 12th oldest road race. Begun in 1916 to honor World War I veterans with a mere six entrants, it has been held continuously 55 times since 1964, and has now graduated to a soup to nuts event boasting thousands of participants. 

If you feel the need for even more caloric justification, you can enjoy the fact that Troy offers the area’s only 10K option as most turkeys and cooks are eager to get exercise done with early. If you anticipate stuffing yourself, you can enter both the 10K and the 5K as both are begun separately, cutting back on traffic congestion. Normally, the thought of battling traffic would cause my feathers to ruffle, but I have discovered that if you are willing to park on the outskirts and utilize the warmup/cooldown approach, there are ample out-of-the-way nooks for you to discover. Sorry, my spot is top-secret!

The Troy out-and-back route is flat and adds to the enjoyment as you can readily spot the creative costumes much easier than you can in the penned-in starting line. My grandkids and I always look forward to the turkeys and bananas and most especially the frat boys with their meat-tray look. Many families enjoy the themed competition for “Best Thanksgiving Day Costume” and “Most Unique Costume.” All you have to do is head over to the picture table and the results and pictures will be posted online – making a nice souvenir for those friends and relatives who can’t make it to your family gathering. 

Many of my poults figure they are ready for the Grade School Mile, but some are aiming for the less competitive Turkey Walk where strollers are permitted. The strollers also make handy receptacles to cart a non-perishable food item for the area food pantries. Participants in the 5K are encouraged to enhance their family bonding by signing up at no additional charge for different variations on family teams. With respect for the main event of the day, age group awards may be picked up without ceremony at the end of each race, while the fastest turkeys, with negligible fork-to-table anxiety, stick around for monetary acknowledgement. (troyturkeytrot.com)

Another traditional mainstay is Ellis Medicine’s Cardiac Classic 5K in Schenectady. Like Troy, the Cardiac Classic has perfected a fast food approach with no day-of registration and an oven-ready 8am start to the day. Featuring a 5K, a Wellness Walk (strollers permitted), and a Mile Duck Pond Fun Run, the in-and-out factor is considerably shortened. And yes, I said ducks. While turkeys are, of course, the traditional guests, allowances are made for the resident ducks to partake in the festivities. Living on the site of many such sporting events, the ducks at Schenectady’s Central Park are in year-round good shape, and particularly enjoy entertaining the youngest visitors. 

One noteworthy extra is also the inviting playground – an excellent spot for the littlest and their sitters to get in their own brand of exercise/spectating, while parents run the 5K. Proceeds benefit the Visiting Nurse Service of Northeastern New York. (ellismedicine.org/cardiac-classic)

Since the regrowth of wooded areas with the abandonment of small farms in the 1940s, our turkey population has grown and their range has expanded from Western Pennsylvania into New York. When foraging becomes tight, a few ambitious herds explore other options. The same goes for Turkey Trots. Once centered in Troy and Schenectady, outliers sought a local farm-to-table option. Enter Saratoga Springs’ Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot 5K. Founded in 2002 as a neighborhood commemoration honoring the life of third-grader Chris Dailey, it has expanded to more than 3,000 runners. Funds generated target the Christopher Dailey Foundation dedicated to youth sports in the Saratoga community.

Ainsley’s Angels, one of the beneficiaries, has a large presence at this event with pink-clad runners pushing challenged children in formidable running chariots. This is no easy task as the course, which loops around Skidmore College is notoriously hilly and a tough go even for the fittest. But there is that glorious downhill finish to look forward to – as well as a well-earned second helping of pumpkin pie! (zippyreg.com)

           If you prefer to strut your stuff amongst a smaller flock, head to the St. George’s Turkey Trot, the Tony Lauria Memorial 5K Family Run/Walk, launching from St. George’s Elementary School in Clifton Park. Unlike the busier trots that cut-off online and day-of registration, procrastinators can score an online entry all the way through 5am on Turkey Day, as well as in-person before the race – perfect for those on the fence who decide at the last minute to become part of the action. 

As this is a 5K run/walk, strollers are permitted for families who wish to join the main festivities. St. George’s Turkey will make his customary appearance and is especially attracted to brightly colored costumes. Use this as an opportunity to get extra mileage out of your kids’ Halloween outfits. (finishright.com)

Once more, friends and family in Delmar are celebrating their bounty with neighbors before the clanging of the first dinner bell at the OurTowne Bethlehem Turkey Trot. Taking off from the Bethlehem Middle School, the route circles mostly flat old Delmar neighborhoods where residents come out in full force to cheer you on. 

The 5K features a run and a walk, with the walk beginning five minutes after the run to eliminate possible bottlenecks. With free fireworks the night before at packet pick-up and procrastination registration, tired turkeys will appreciate the opportunity to sleep in with a 9am start. Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable item for the food pantry. (ourtownebethlehem.com)

With all these opportunities, please do consider joining the flock of your choice while celebrating with your family, friends and community – and giving thanks for your many blessings!

Laura Clark (snowshoegal133@gmail.com) of Saratoga Springs is an avid trail runner, ultramarathoner, snowshoer and cross-country skier. She is a children’s librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.