Before gobbling up that first delectable drumstick, diving into a big wedge of pumpkin pie, or tuning in for the Dallas Cowboys game, thousands of area residents and visitors officially kick off Thanksgiving at the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot presented by Texas Health.
From the race’s beginnings in 1968 — when 107 participants gathered to run a 3-mile course through downtown ahead of the biggest meal of the year — the Turkey Trot has grown to become as important a holiday tradition for North Texas families as fighting over the wishbone.
The event, set for Thursday, Nov. 23, offers multiple ways to get involved: timed and untimed 5K and 8-mile runs/walks as well as virtual versions of both. The Turkey Trot welcomes participants of all ages and fitness levels, including dedicated athletes, leisurely walkers and those who just enjoy putting on a giant turkey costume for photos in front of top Dallas landmarks. (Fun fact: The Dallas Turkey Trot holds the Guinness World Record for the Largest Gathering of People Dressed Like Turkeys, a feat achieved in 2011.) Dogs and little ones in strollers can also participate.
Though Race Day won’t be here for several weeks, you can sign up until Oct. 29 for a discounted registration fee. Lower-priced registration is available for young Trotters, from newborns to 12-year-olds.
The 8-mile course begins on Young Street, heads into Deep Ellum, back through the heart of downtown on Main Street, past Reunion Tower, and over the viaduct bridge into Oak Cliff before returning to the finish line at City Hall Plaza. The 5K starts at City Hall before going into Deep Ellum and passing along Main Street, then ends in front of Pioneer Plaza and the Dallas Police Memorial.
Attorney, arbitrator and mediator David Kelton has been the “Voice of the Trot” for years now, making the announcements at the start of each race and at the conclusion of the 8-mile segment. His involvement actually dates back to 1975, when the Turkey Trot was still held at White Rock Lake. By 1977, when Kelton served as one of the volunteer race directors, it was decided a new venue was needed.
“We moved it because the race had grown to nearly 2,000 participants at the lake, and it was too unwieldy,” he says. “Little did we know that there would be a numbers explosion in doing so. It kept increasing in size and, with the addition of the 5K portion of the race, grew to over 25,000 participants. Really, back in 1977, that would have been beyond our wildest dreams.”
At its peak in 2011, the race counted 36,820 participants. With other Turkey Trots now taking place across the Dallas-Fort Worth area, there’s more races to choose from — but the original Dallas version continues to have the biggest impact.
“Our goal is to have 19,000 participants this year,” says Giselle Patterson, executive director. “It’s the largest paid YMCA event in the U.S., so we have a huge reach within the community and raise a lot of money for all the very traditional YMCA programs, such as helping kids learn to swim, nutrition classes, physical activity engagement for kids and families who struggle with obesity, signature programs like our day camp and our sports programs.”
To broaden the appeal of the Thanksgiving morning event even further, this year’s Turkey Trot has several new features.
First, a Team Challenge promises a new level of camaraderie and accountability by challenging families, friends and colleagues to create a team (complete with a Trot-worthy name) and participate as a group. For each team, the top three runners’ times will be added together; the team with the fastest combined time will be the victors of this inaugural race-day component.
“This should be super fun, because you can encourage each other to go a little bit faster,” Patterson says.
Another new element this year is an official costume contest. Though people have dressed up for decades (hence the Guinness World Record), this year a one-year membership at the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is at stake for the winner. Other membership levels are awarded to the runners-up. Judges will be looking for unique twists, so bring your creativity.
Awards aren’t just for the human Trotters. In addition to a special costume contest just for the canine set (last year’s winner dressed as a turkey riding a bike), Patterson says another first this year will be the special doggie medals for the first 750 pups to cross the finish line with their owners.
And the sooner a racer crosses the finish line, the sooner the real fun can begin. That’s the advice of 76-year-old Killer Tomson, one of the world record-busting turkeys who’s been participating in the event for 45 consecutive years.
“I was doing 20 to 25 races a year, and this was always my favorite,” he says, adding that it keeps him out of the kitchen long enough for his wife “Mrs. Killer” and their family to prepare a great meal.
After participating in the 8-mile race for more than a quarter century, he switched to the 5K because it didn’t take as long to complete.
“I get back sooner to party with all the partiers,” he says.
Many of those party people will be at The Roost, formerly known simply as the VIP area. The larger-than-ever space on Dallas City Hall Plaza features covered and uncovered seating, coffee, hot chocolate, juices, snacks and fresh fruit before the race, as well as restroom facilities. A standard pass includes all of the above, while a premium pass includes beer, wine and mimosas.
“I highly recommend you do The Roost,” Patterson says. “This year we’re going to have food cooked live at the event, and we’re going to have omelets, pancakes and breakfast tacos in addition to all the other food.”
Of course, none of this could happen without volunteers. Patterson says at least 850 are needed this year; people can sign up on the website to help out with everything from race day setup and teardown to water stations and direction for runners and walkers.
“However you want to participate, sign up now,” Patterson says. “Bring your pets, bring your relatives, bring your friends. And if you can’t take part, then just come and watch. There’s so much going on. It’s really one big party and such a fun Thanksgiving tradition.”
For more information about the YMCA Dallas Turkey Trot presented by Texas Health or to register to race or volunteer, visit ymcadallas.org/turkeytrot.