I started
Thanksgiving Day off on the right foot as this event is meant to be
fun for anybody not just seasoned athletes. Whether you call it a
Turkey Trot or a Stuffing Strut, it is perfect for anyone who wants
to kick off Thanksgiving Day with a bit of exercise and a lot of fun!
It's that time of year when turkey lovers, runners, and friends
gather for an appetite-inducing morning of good-natured competition.
We were able to get our run, walk, or waddle on. Before the big
games, the big meal, the parades and the pies, why not get in a
little exercise with a few hundred others? It’s an event the whole
family will enjoy or anybody at all! Many have made the “run” or
“walk” a Thanksgiving Day tradition, or at least it will be from
now on in my case.
One
of the best things about this race was the opportunity to exercise
before my celebrating with family. The race began and finished in
front of Lowe's at Keizer Station. Walkers and runners headed out of
the shopping area and looped around a nearby residential neighborhood
before returning to the finish line.
As
freezing temperatures hung over the valley as did a fog that
lingered like the smell of that turkey cooking, it didn't stop the
more than 800 runners/walkers who headed out to Keizer Station for
the 2nd annual Keizer Turkey Dash 5K. Whether feeling a need to
fuel a running void or solely to get those calories burned off
before the day's feasts, we all braved the cold morning and
participated in what is sure to be a Thanksgiving staple for many
years to come. We headed north in the quiet Keizer Station streets
before veering off into the neighborhood streets of the Gubser
neighborhood via a small tunnel under the railroad tracks. There
were a few volunteers who also braved the freezing temperatures at
the busier intersections, but it looked like they were all pretty
bored with the lack of car activity and they passed their energies
instead to us runners and walkers as we passed.
This
race exceeded all expectations and the Mid-Willamette Valley (and
others) showed up in droves for a great race. I envision this one
continuing to grow and I know this will be on my yearly race
calendar.
I
have to give a BIG should out to Kriss who braved this cold freezing
Thanksgiving morning to do this race with me; I know she had many
other things she would have rather been doing. For the things my
friends have done for me, I am extremely thankful. Happy
Thanksgiving all!
