It’s that time of the year when locals prepare to flock to the Fort Lewis College campus on Thanksgiving to enjoy a beautiful run and burn some calories before the eating begins.
The Durango Turkey Trot presented by Animas Surgical Hospital is back and is as popular as ever. The staple for local runners on Thanksgiving morning is expected to have over 800 participants, according to Turkey Trot Race Director Matthew Krichman.
Krichman said last year’s Turkey Trot was the biggest yet, with around 800 participants. At this point, registrations are about 10% ahead of where they were last year so Krichman projects this year should be the biggest year with between 800 and 900 people.
The 5-mile Turkey Trot will begin at 10 a.m. near the student union on FLC and will follow the same course as in years prior. Runners will proceed around campus on Rim Drive, up to the Hillcrest neighborhood, down past the reservoir, around the back of the Hillcrest Golf Course to finish at the clock tower at the FLC.
After the 5-mile race, the 1-mile kids run will start at 11 a.m. and will start and end at the same spots as the 5-mile race.
A postrace awards ceremony and celebration will start at 11:30 a.m. at the amphitheater adjacent to the finish line. This will include a gobble contest, age group winners and a prize drawing.
“You'll feel it when you show up at the check-in area,” Krichman said. “You'll feel that happy, joyful energy; people are just in a good mood. It's a day of celebration. Out at the start line, people are hugging and seeing old friends that they haven't seen for a long time. There are a lot of people who run this race who aren't runners and that's a big part of it. It's a race, so there will be a handful of people who are competitive and are looking to win it. But out of 800 people there, probably 750 are just there for fun and looking to get some exercise.”
To sign up for the Durango Turkey Trot and for information, click here. It’s $32.80 to sign up for the 5-mile race until the end of Sunday. On Monday, the price will increase to $38.10. The 1-mile race is free.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
