Thanksgiving is blaring in like a locomotive. I really can’t believe we went from July to October in the snap of some fingers. Craziness.
Anyways, the positive side of that jump from summer to Thanksgiving season means there are a lot of opportunities to get some last runs in prior to winter settling in. For those that can’t run often on the weekends due to work schedules or family obligations, this is one of the hidden joys of Thanksgiving ‘turkey trot’ races; they are on a Thursday and most of us have the day off.
Here’s the scoop. The Eugene Turkey Trot takes place on Thursdays, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day). The start/finish line will be located at Maurie Jacobs Park (across the Valley River Center footbridge). You may choose from a 4 mile run, or a 2 mile walk. Brings the kiddos along, too, as there is a complimentary Gobbler Gallop of 200 meters for the children.
If selecting the 4 mile run, the course will travel along the beautiful and traffic-free Alton Baker multi-use pathways. You’ll loop over the foot bridge, continue along the south side of Willamette River on the paths, cross over the Greenway Bridge and zoom to the finish line (which is the same location as the start line). For those participating in the 2 mile walk, the course will be a pleasant out-and-back course, proceeding north on the Alton Baker park paved paths, past wetlands, with a turn around point at the ~1 mile mark to bring you back to the finish line (also the same location as the start line). Both the 4 mile run and the 2 mile walk prove to be enjoyable courses with no vehicular traffic to worry about.
The event will be chip timed for both the run and the walk. Seasonal awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers of the 4 mile run. The top three male and female finishers of the 4 mile run in each age group will also receive awards. No awards will be handed out for the 2 mile walk, but everyone who participates will be eligible for random prizes! The kids participating in the 200 meter Gobbler Gallop will go home with their very own ribbon.
Donations of canned foods will be accepted at packet pick-up and day of race. Donations will be given to FOOD for Lane County! The course will be delightful, the awards and prizes will be festive, and there might even be some folks dressed up in turkey costumes. Complete entertainment! I’m in – and it will give me a fantastic reason to eat three helpings of Thanksgiving dinner, right?
Turkey Trot Eugene:
When: 9a on Thursday, November 22, 2018
Where: Maurie Jacobs Park on Fir Ln. (across the Valley Center footbridge,) Eugene
Register: Online here ; Adults: $25 | Youth ages 17 and under: $20 | One child 12 & under free with paid adult
