If you've ever dreamed of becoming a record-setting runner but don't possess record-setting speed, opportunity is knocking. Participants in Up North Media's sixth annual Downtown Traverse City Turkey Trot for Charities on Thursday, Nov. 28 will join Thanksgiving Day runners across the U.S. in an effort to set a record for the most runners competing at the same time.
The Guinness World Record Gobbler Challenge is the brainchild of BSX Athletics, which will also provide a complimentary training plan (a $29.99 value) for all participants. In addition to the Traverse City Turkey Trot, six other Thanksgiving races have officially joined the Challenge - the Gobble Jog in Marietta, Ga.; the Loveland (Colo.) Turkey Trot; the Applied Materials Turkey Trot in San Jose, Calif.; the Edmond (Okla.) Turkey Trot; and the Thanksgiving Day Family 5K in Overland Park, Kan. Ten additional races have made verbal commitments, raising the expected runner total to just over 100,000. Malaysia holds the record of 116,086 runners.
The eight week training plans can be
redeemed via PDF or on runBSX, a smart phone application that individualizes training routines to help endurance athletes unlock their full potential. runBSX is the precursor to trainBSX coming out later this year, which will provide robust and actionable tracking, that when paired with a real-life coach, will enable endurance athletes to stop just doing it and learn how to do it right.
The Downtown Traverse City Turkey Trot for Charities combines "families, fun and fitness." The 5K run/walk and 5-Mile Flier races start and finish on Thirlby Field at Running Stadium (main entrance on 13th Street). Races begin at 9 a.m., and the courses run through downtown Traverse City. Awards will be given to the top three overall male and female finishers, as well as age group winners, at 10:30 a.m.
A total of 438 runners/walks took part in the first Turkey Trot in 2008; last year there were 2,366 finishers.
Registration cost is $35 for adults and $15 for students before Nov. 28 and $40 for adults/$20 for students after Nov. 5th and on race day. For more information or to register, visit http://trot.evugo.com.
Packet pick-up will be Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 5-8 p.m. at Thirlby Field. Participants will receive a long sleeve t-shirt and goody bag with local gifts and coupons. "LEAP Under the Lights" family activities will be held from 5-7 p.m.
Canned good donations will be accepted for the St. Francis Food Pantry, and dog food and pet supplies will be accepted in support of HANDDS (Helping Abused Neglected Disabled and Displaced Souls).
On race day, local talent will sing the "Star Spangled Banner" and a Coast Guard helicopter will fly overhead prior to the starting gun. Treats will be available (with hidden Grand Traverse Pie Company coupons), along with a silent auction and race merchandise sales.
All proceeds, less operating costs, will go to local charities. Major charities are March of Dimes, Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS), Michael's Place and Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center. Minor charities are Traverse Region Event Directive, TART Trails and Angel Care. More than $100,000 has been given to local charities since the first Turkey Trot was held in 2008!
Up North Media has announced it will also host the first Petoskey Turkey Trot 5K on Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. For more information or to register, visit http://www.upnmedia.com/2013-petoskey-turkey-trot.
