New Date: Thanksgiving Day, 2021
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.
Big thanks to Animas Surgical Hospital for their generous support of this event!
One of Durango’s most popular running races for 30 years, the Turkey Trot presented by Animas Surgical Hospital features a 5 mile race and a 1 mile fun run. The Turkey Trot is a holiday tradition for the whole family. Come burn off some calories and work up an appetite before your big meal! All of the proceeds go to great local charities.
*** NEW LOCATION ***
Please come to the Smith Sports Complex -- that's the new soccer fields on the FLC campus, across the road from the Community Concert Hall parking lot. Check-in opens at 8:45am. Arrive about 20 minutes before your start time.
This will be an outdoor check-in area. There are bathrooms available.
*** NEW COURSE THIS YEAR ***
Due to Fort Lewis College's Covid guidelines, we are unable to use our traditional start/finish area at the FLC clocktower. We have moved the start/finish over to the Smith Sports Complex, and therefore the race course is a little different this year. However, it is still very similar to the old course you know and love.
Basically, the only big difference is where you start and finish. Other than that, you are still running up into the Hillcrest neighborhood, past the reservoir, around the golf course, and around Rim Drive. The course will measure out just shy of 5 miles.
One aid station with water and Powerade is provided.
There are a couple solid hill climbs, just enough to work up an appetite for your Thanksgiving dinner.
Kids' 1-Mile Course: Two laps around the soccer fields at the Smith Sports Complex.
Due to Covid rules, we will not hold an in-person awards ceremony this year. I know, this is a huge bummer. The post-race ceremony is my favorite part of this event. But public health guidelines for running races stipulate that we should not do anything that encourages people to stick around and congregate after the race.
We will send race results via e-mail and congratulate the age group winners that way.
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Additional race information can be found at http://durangorunningclub.org/events/turkey-trot/.
We are taking all recommended precautions to keep you safe at the Turkey Trot, including:
-- Capping the race at 250 runners
-- Implementing a staggered start of fewer than 10 runners per minute
-- Requiring masks at check-in
If you would like to see our full Covid safety plan that we submitted to San Juan Basin Public Health and the City of Durango, please let us know and we will gladly send it to you.
Please complete the following survey to help us better understand your race experience.
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