A year after the Turkey Trot in Durango was canceled because of spiking cases of COVID-19, more than 500 people have already signed up to run in the 5-mile and 1-mile runs on Thanksgiving.
“It feels fantastic to get people back out to races,” said race director Matthew Krichman. “And people are eager to get back to doing what they love.”
Krichman said at the beginning of November last year the COVID dial was allowing 250 participants to run in the Turkey Trot. With cases spiking, however, that number was reduced to 75 before the event. With 250 runners already registered, he said they decided to cancel it.
“It was a huge bummer last year to cancel,” Krichman said. “It was doubly sad because we had to cancel last minute.”
In terms of turnout, Krichman said the Turkey Trot is probably the most popular race in Durango. It’s also the last running race of the calendar year.
“It’s kind of the grand finale for the year,” Krichman said. “It can get pretty competitive, but most people are out there just for fun.” He said competitors often wear costumes for the race.
The 5-mile course will be the same as in years’ past, beginning at Fort Lewis’ clock tower, going around campus along Rim Drive, through the Hilllcrest neighborhood, around the golf course and back to the start.
“Every year, I’m shocked at the 27-minute mark of the race when I see a runner approaching the finish,” Krichman said. “There’s always a pack of competitive, elite runners, often times college kids who are home for the holidays.”
The 1-mile run, which is free, will loop around the campus.
“We want to encourage everyone to get out,” Krichman said about why the 1-mile run is free.
Race-day registration starts at 8:45 a.m., but runners will get a discount on the 5-mile run if they register early. Check-in and registration will be held at Fort Lewis’ student union, which is about 1,000 yards from the clock tower where the race will start.
People can register early by visiting DurangoRunningClub.org, clicking the “events” tab and then selecting the Turkey Trot at the bottom of the page.
The weather forecast favors the runners.
“The weather looks great,” Krichman said. “It’s looking like it will be 40 degrees and sunny.”
The event is sponsored by the Animas Surgical Hospital. Proceeds from the event go to local charities.
