Turkey Trots – Fly Away Home with the Turkeys

By Laura Clark

Even though the 1996 feel-good, family movie, Fly Away Home, involves geese and not turkeys, and overlooking the slight detail that turkeys are homebodies and do not migrate, the keyword here is home. And reflect carefully on the phrase “fly away.” In many instances we would fly to a place, but around the holidays many of us feel compelled to point our wingtips toward our home of tradition, rather than our home of current residence. Wherever your Home for the Holidays might happen to be, and whoever your flock might happen to include, Thanksgiving is the time to tune up your navigation instruments, either for a cross-country ultra or for simply cruising around the block.

This year, my backyard hosted a bumper crop of wild turkeys with 18 poults and at least three separate families of moms, dads and aunties. They roamed the woods and the neighborhood, especially those yards with bird feeders. Theirs was a moveable feast and open buffet table. This year, you too, can do the same. Of the five races which have posted their menus here, Bolton PTO’s Turkey Trot is the appetizer on Nov. 18, Troy and Christopher Dailey both offer virtual options skirting the actual holiday – leaving one event for in-person and the other as a backup in case of a flight delay.

Bolton PTO’s Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, launching from Bolton Landing’s Veteran’s Park, eases us into the competition on Saturday, Nov. 18, with a leisurely 10:30am start – allowing for some extra snuggling under the feathers. Since turkeys support big families, this race is a favorite, charging a bargain rate of $5 per child, $10 per adult and $20 per family. Poults can enjoy a free 10am one-mile Block Trot out-and-back through town accompanied by family members. 

The 5K promises to please all, with a mix of hills and flats, leading to a scenic tour of Green Island, home of the Sagamore Resort. As tempting as it may be to stop and enjoy the beautiful lake views, turkeys are encouraged to stay focused and curtail their grazing until they reach the post-race concession stand. Those turkeys who do not feel fully dressed without a new T-shirt to accompany the occasion can purchase one on a first-come, first-served basis. There are prizes for finishers and best costume. Proceeds support Bolton Parent Teacher Organization initiatives. Register: boltoncsd.org. 

On Thanksgiving Day, anyone taking running with the flock seriously needs to investigate the 76th annual Troy Turkey Trot, one of the nation’s oldest and largest road races, with an event suited to every family member. In an effort to ensure that everyone makes it home in time for dinner, the area’s only 10K leads off at 8am (and offers prize money), followed by the Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk Mile. The largest event, the 5K begins at 10am, again on a flat, out-and back route. This is one race where you can spectate and run at the same time, enjoying the sight of all the costumed runners as they pass or approach the turnaround. Because turkeys are a chummy bunch, ever mindful of family relations, they may also sign up for a myriad of Brother/Brother, Mother/Son, Husband/Wife, etc. teams to ensure that everyone comes away with the proverbial drumstick. Extended friends, families and work groups can also join the table of team options. Age-based pricing has been instituted to keep costs down for families.

Troy Turkey Trot is truly a Fly Away Home event, with many former residents returning yearly to visit old school chums and either run with them or line the streets (and bars) spectating. Thanksgiving reunions start early in Troy and continue through elaborate gatherings, flag football and the occasional nap. As with all large gatherings, Troy offers big-time opportunities to strut your stuff or perhaps even indulge in a celebratory turkey trot dance, whose flapping arm movements were wildly popular in the early 1900s. Within all race categories, age group awards are plentiful. When you register, please remember to donate to the event’s charities, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House and Shelter. Register: troyturkeytrot.com.  

Runner up to the longevity award is the 42nd annual Cardiac Classic circling Schenectady’s Central Park and surrounding neighborhoods. Like Troy, this race recognizes that while Thanksgiving is the most popular day to hold a race in the entire US, it is by no means the main event, being eclipsed by the turkey’s main function. Awards are handled smoothly and efficiently in the park’s pavilion to the accompaniment of hot coffee and a warm fire. Festivities get underway at 8am with a Two-Mile Wellness Walk and end at 10am with a free kids’ One-Mile Duck Pond Fun Run. Sandwiched in between, but by no means a leftover repast, is the main 5K Road Race, consisting of a mostly flat tour in and outside the perimeter of the park. The race moves along fairly quickly as it is for runners only, with the walkers invited to join the Wellness Walk. There are plenty of spectating opportunities as well as a playground for more active poults. 

And while a majority of turkeys polled feel Turkey Day is more of an Anti-Turkey Day, they do feel lucky to be invited to the feast at the Ellis Cardiac Classic. Join the tradition, enjoy the reunions and wattle on! Register: raceentry.com.

Stepping up to the plate at 8:30am in Saratoga Springs is the 22nd annual Christopher Dailey Turkey Trot, a family event that grew from an around the neighborhood location to the Saratoga Hilton. Proceeds benefit the Christopher Dailey Foundation, which donates to area youth initiatives. There are no sides, with attention devoted to the main course 5K run/walk up Broadway, around Skidmore College and back on Broadway for a glorious downhill finish where everyone can let loose like an Olympic victor. 

A fun turkey fact is that their featherless heads are like mood rings. A bluish-white shade indicates a calm demeanor, but beware a bright read head striving to reach the finish before you. He or she undoubtedly will. These colors are more difficult to discern now that we have all taken to dressing up, with bright glittery skirts and colorful head dresses. Beware. According to G.T. Klein, who wrote Starting Right with Turkeys, the true American wild turkey was “wild and wary to the point of genius.” Plan ahead. 

This trot has fast become a tradition, full hometown reunions. There is a family rate for four people, with two children under the age of 14, up until November 21. Online registration ends at 8pm Nov. 22, with no day-of registration. Register: zippyreg.com.

Turkeys are used to spending cold winter nights braving the elements with many of them flocking to the third annual Glens Falls Gobble Wobble 5K run/walk, which supports the Open Door Mission. It begins and ends at the mission, circling beautiful downtown Glens Falls. There is a sliding scale for youth runners and any who do not receive T-shirts on race day are invited back for a second printing, a perk that is rarely offered. 

The community spirit is never more in evidence than at this race, where we participants don’t necessarily run/walk for a fast time, but to make life a bit more tolerable for those struggling with hunger and homelessness in the region. And if you are a fan of displaying your plumage, the shirt features a plump, determined turkey in all its colorful feathers, will be one to wear to the table.

If you need more motivation, recognize that with so many participants, there’s no fear of finishing last. And even if you do, you still get bragging rights. Bothered by certain family members? A trot is a great excuse to escape the family dynamic and enjoy an extra helping of stuffing when you return. Plus, you get to fall asleep guilt-free and avoid all those cleanup chores! Wattle on!

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.