Turkey Trot is celebrating its 10th anniversary
The 10th annual Turkey Trot will be held on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 8 a.m. at Lake Park.
The 5K course will be around the park and everyone is invited to come out and work off some “pre-dinner” calories. Registration is $25 before Friday, Nov. 22, and $30 after that date. Pre-race packet pickup is encouraged and will be on Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 5-6:30 p.m. at New Life Ministries on Seventh Street in Coshocton.
Overall winners, both male and female, will be recognized as well as the top three finishers in each age group. Age groups are 12 and under up to 70+ years.
Dustin and Megan Haywood and Kelly and Ben Treat are the owners of DK Races and Events. They organize the Turkey Trot each year. Dustin said that this year, instead of a celebration, they are doing a special logo and a custom commemorative hoodie for everyone who registered before the guaranteed shirt deadline. “We do still have a few hoodies available from the extras that we ordered.”
The number of people participating in the Turkey Trot has stayed steady since the first one. “Our first couple of years, we had around 50 runners. In year three, we increased to around 150 and by year four we were up to 200. Since then, we have averaged around 200 runners each year, with the exception of 2019 when we have our largest year ever with 250 runners,” Dustin said.
“The weather really cooperated that year and the temperature was in the 60s and sunny which attributed to our large number,” he said. “We will definitely break that number this year as we currently have over 260 signed up for this year’s race.”
He added that Thanksgiving Day is the largest running day of the year across the country. “I think that people enjoy the Coshocton Turkey Trot because it is a family and pet-friendly event,” Dustin said. “I also think that people like to ‘earn’ their meal by running a few miles in the morning before they have their Thanksgiving feast. For many people, it becomes a tradition, just like eating turkey and pumpkin pie.”
Sherry Kirkpatrick is one of the runners who has enjoyed the Coshocton Turkey Trot many times. She has participated in it four or five times. “Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving morning are so fun when you see entire families coming out bright and early to get their day started,” she said. “For me, a morning run is a favorite way to start my day and adding the excitement of running with a couple hundred people just adds to it.”
Kirkpatrick said she would encourage anyone to join the Turkey Trot. “You don’t have to run. There are lots of people that walk, have a little one in a stroller or have their dog along beside them. It’s a great way to get your Thanksgiving started and burn some calories so you can enjoy a few extra helpings at the dinner table. And walking or running always provides a little quiet time in your mind and heart to give thanks for all that we have.”
Shelby Schlupp said she ran the Turkey Trot several years ago and has been running races for the last two years consistently. “This is one everyone talks about. I’m excited to experience it now that it has grown so much bigger,” she said. “My husband, Josh, is also going to run this year and it will be his first time. We have a little bet going about which one of us will win.”
This will be Melissa Bantum’s first time participating in the Turkey Trot. “I have friends who have participated in the past and just decided this year I would participate and challenge myself. I don’t necessarily run. I do cardio-drumming classes so I’m hoping that will prepare me enough for a 5K.”
Lauren Johnson will be racing this year for the fourth time. “I wanted to because I enjoy running. It’s fun to run this race that brings a community together and also it’s something me and my husband like to do together. Also, I don’t feel guilty eating all of the Thanksgiving food that I will get to eat after.”
Wendy and Troy Jones are distance runners. “Troy has completed 110 marathons and I’ve just finished 100, but decided to do the Turkey Trot for the cool shirt, some fun with a co-worker and to pre-burn Thanksgiving calories.”
Dustin said, “The Turkey Trot wouldn’t be as successful without the support of Brent Endsley, Spitfire Timing, who has timed our race since the beginning. We would also like to thank Dean’s Jewelry who has supported us as our sponsor for many years.”
Category: People & Places
