Durango Turkey Trot presented by Animas Surgical Hospital

Dear runners,

For those of you who know me, you know how sad it makes me to cancel a race.  

Especially this race.

I’ve been putting on the Turkey Trot for eleven years, and it’s my favorite day of the year.  I love seeing all you runners at the start line.  I love the festive atmosphere.  I love the race course.  I love watching the kids in the gobble contest.  I love the generosity from all the local businesses who donate prizes.  And I love how we as a community, through this event, are able to donate generously to local organizations that help others in need.

I wish we could make it happen this year.

As many of you are aware, on Friday the Covid risk level in La Plata County was raised to “level orange.”  Among other things, this means that outdoor events are now limited to 75 participants.  We consulted with the health department and it is not likely that this will change between now and Thanksgiving.

While we could put on a race with just 75 runners, we have decided that it is best to cancel.  Among other things, we would have to decide which 75 runners get to run.  (We currently have 175 registered, which was the maximum allowed under the previous Covid restrictions.)  But more importantly, we are concerned that hosting an event, even one that follows all the rules, simply isn’t a good idea right now.

So here’s what we would ask you to do.  Go for a run on Thanksgiving morning with your family.  Make it a good one.  Get a solid five miles, and make sure there’s a hill in there somewhere.  Bonus points if you wear a costume and gobble at the finish line.

I want to say a couple big thank-you’s.  First, to Animas Surgical Hospital, our presenting sponsor for this race.  They came on board in a tough year and showed amazing generosity to help us keep this race going.  And they showed amazing understanding when we decided to cancel.

Second, big thanks to the local businesses who had agreed to donate prizes for this race:  Zia Taqueria, Eolus, Pine Needle Mountaineering, Ken & Sue’s, Maria’s Bookshop, Bird’s, Durango Coffee Company, Desert Sun Roasters, Grassburger, and Backcountry Experience.  In a year that has been tough on local businesses, their generosity speaks to what an amazing business community we have here.  Please consider these businesses as you do your holiday shopping and dining.

Thanks for your understanding.  We wish you a happy Thanksgiving, and look forward to seeing you all under much better circumstances at next year's Turkey Trot.

Gobble gobble!

Matthew Krichman, Race Director

Refunds

We are of course offering full refunds on your registration fee, as well as the option of deferring your entry to next year.

You may also donate your entry fee, if you wish, and it will go towards one of the great local causes we support each year.