Turkeys Stepping Up to the Plate Have a Wide Menu

By Laura Clark

Just when we think we have our holiday options down, we are faced with rearranging our flight patterns. During the previous eighteen months of travel restrictions, some flocks became lazy and discouraged, rarely venturing beyond neighboring fields. They grew plump and are now dreading harvest possibilities. Others have kept on trucking, if ever so slowly, due to limited racing opportunities. Thankfully, though, race directors in charge of our local turkey trots have taken these factors into consideration and have carved a variety of alternatives to suit every level of training and comfort.

Going all the way back to the early turkey trots which originated in England in the 1700s, when turkeys were walked to market in large herds, there was always a free-range component to the venture. This hasn’t changed. While runners tend to be a dedicated lot, turkey trots are an outlier event. For some, this will be the only race they will enter all year. Others will sport outlandish disguises to avoid market implications. Faster runners are likely to jettison their normal head-of-the-flock ambitions and content themselves with tourist aspirations. 

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, Nov. 20. The second annual Bolton PTO Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk (10:30am) and Kids’ “Block Trot” (10am) begin at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Bolton Landing. 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 or $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. Register online or day of race. Proceeds benefit Bolton Central School District’s PTO activities. Dress for success to score one of the prizes for best costume – or get serious to aim for prizes to top finishers in each age group. Visit: boltoncsd.org.

If tradition is a vital part of your holiday, you will most likely join the roughly 7,000 participants at the 74th annual Troy Turkey Trot, the nation’s 12th and the world’s 64th oldest road race. At the Troy Trot there is no excuse for fussy eaters as there is a selection to suit everyone’s preferences. First up is the Capital Region’s only Thanksgiving 10K at 8am for those anticipating a big holiday spread afterwards, followed at 10am by the wildly popular 5K. This kitchen timer approach is perfect for parents who both want to run but must share child-caring duties. Sandwiched between at 9:30am is the Grade School Mile so all can see their kiddies run. Five minutes later is the Turkey Walk Mile for those family members who want to participate but not ruffle their feathers too much. All routes are out and back and flat as a pancake, perfect for those targeting a fast time, as well as those who have acquired a degree of Covid plumpness.  

To enable all family members to step up to the plate, children 14-and-under may enter either the 5K or 10K for just $15 and the mile events are $10 for all. This holds true thru Nov. 20 so choose your selections early. For no additional fee, flocks are encouraged to participate as a family team. Many also enjoy the costume contest with prizes. Because of the out-and-back nature of the route, our family has always enjoyed combining running with costume spectating, which certainly helps distract us when our energy is flagging. In addition to participation medals for all turkeys, the top three males and females will receive cash prizes, and there will be awards for the top three in each age group division.

Only unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks, but since there is beak-to-beak packing at the start line, some might feel more comfortable toting a disposable face covering. To ease crowding concerns, there will be drive-through packet pick-ups on Nov. 20-21 and 24 at the Italian Community Center in Troy, and at the Troy Atrium on race morning. For those still hesitant, or those who live farther away and wish to join friends race day, there is the opportunity to come to the table via a real-time virtual running event. Simply register, then download the custom livestream app, and claim your profile. You will start at the same time as your friends and the app will track your distance and time. Most exciting, you will be able to see where you would be on the actual course had you been running in-person. As with all technology, there may be a learning curve and it’s suggested that you take a practice run to make sure the interfaces are working correctly. Those otherwise occupied with kitchen duties or travel plans can join the non-live event anytime from 8am Thursday, Nov. 25 to 5pm Sunday, Nov. 28. Last year, 14 other Troys across the nation joined, including Troy, Kansas; Troy, Michigan, and Troy, Illinois! In this time of Thanksgiving, runners are encouraged to offer online support to the event’s two main charities: Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House & Shelter, as well as the 15 local non-profits supplying volunteers. Last year, with only 41% of the 2019 field, turkeys acknowledged the stress of the Covid-infused season by donating a record $18,500! Visit: troyturkeytrot.com.

Due west in Schenectady’s Central Park, the 40th annual Ellis Medicine Cardiac Classic 5K will be back in person on Thanksgiving morning. Due to Covid still being a threat in the community, they’ll only be having the 5K Road Race this year, so no two-mile Wellness Walk or one-mile Duck Pond Fun Run. The 5K course will remain the same, with the start and finish line being at the Pavilion. To encourage social distancing, water and snacks for running turkeys will be available nearby on picnic tables. 

For runners and walkers, there will be a virtual 5K option. Registered turkeys will receive a Cardiac Classic T-shirt. Race proceeds benefit Ellis Medicine so run, walk and support our community. Online registration closes Tuesday, Nov. 23 at midnight. Visit: ellismedicine.org/cardiac-classic.

Farther north on the flight pattern is the 20th annual Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot based from the Saratoga Hilton. This 5K run/walk is for tough turkeys as the route up North Broadway and around Skidmore College is has some gradual and rolling hills. But just remember, for every uphill, there is a corresponding downhill, and turkeys can expect to fully expand their flight feathers for the coast down Broadway to the finish. The early bird gets the worm even before Thanksgiving as there is a sliding fee scale. Coming late to the table is not the way to carve out your training, as there is no day-of registration, and T-shirts are guaranteed only to those who register by Nov. 19. Online registration closes at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 23, and last chance in-person registration is Wednesday, Nov. 24, 4-8pm at packet pickup.  

Turkeys who favor the second prong of the wishbone, may break in favor of the virtual option, with a less pronounced presence, which may be completed from Nov. 19-28. They may pick up their T-shirts at registration or request that the items be mailed for a small fee. As always, proceeds benefit the Christopher Dailey Foundation which supports area youth sports and health initiatives. Visit: zippyreg.com. 

Those seeking a fresh spin on events, might want to fill their online shopping carts with tickets to the inaugural Glens Falls Gobble Wobble. This 5K run/walk is based from the Open Door Mission in downtown Glens Falls and proceeds benefit the mission, helping those experiencing homelessness and poverty in greater Glens Falls. Special consideration is granted to youngsters, with $5 off for those under 12 and a visit by Gunnar, the Adirondack Thunder ice hockey mascot. Procrastinators will be delighted by the day-of-race registration!

The course, similar to the old Hinchcliff ALS 5K, presents a loop tour through the city of Glens Falls. The fact that this new offering is an Adirondack Runners club “Grand Prix” event testifies that you can expect a quality experience. I would imagine this would be the in-person race for those who are not ready as yet to expose themselves in a beak-to-beak situation. Visit: glensfallsgobblewobble.com.

Turkey Trots present a relaxed atmosphere where everyone knows the main event comes later in the day. If you are new, undertrained, or hesitant about exposure, please know that there is an option suited to your needs. Happy Thanksgiving!

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.