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Turkey Trot 2006
By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist
11/24/2006

Detroit’s 24th annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot presented by Fifth Third Bank has a few new twists to gobble about. A new 5km has been added and an improved start area should help make the “Tradition before the Tradition” event one of the best since it was introduced by the Parade Company and the Motor City Striders in 1983.

Almost 6000 runners head downtown every year to have fun, maybe watch the Parade or be watched by parade spectators during the race. The Turkey Trot is the largest 10km in Michigan and ranks in the top twenty nationwide.

The race committee (I’m the race director) decided to add the Stuffing Strut 5km to encourage more fun runners and walkers to participate. Both the 5 and 10 km races will start together on Jefferson Avenue just outside the Cobo Center lobby doors. This should give more room for runners relax before the horn goes off at 8 am.

The kids Mashed Potato Mile will also start at Jefferson and Griswold. It finishes under the same giant inflatable arch as the marquee races. Race time is 7:30 am.

Hundreds of runners dress up in costume. Parade Company Vice President of Programming, Jessica Kaminskas will be providing celebrity judges. Prizes are awarded in Cobo’s Michigan Hall before the races begin.

I have been working with the Parade Company and Detroit’s Tactical Operations to improve on last year’s course. Staging for the parade required moving some of the race a block east from Woodward Avenue at Mack. The new start line eliminates the congestion on Atwater and adds a loop around the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Still intact is the path around the elegant African American Museum and colorful Detroit Science Center. An out and back on John R in front of Detroit’s Medical Center was worked out with the DMC officials.

Runners should appreciate this year’s long sleeve sweat shirts to keep them warm after the race. Bleacher seats on the parade route (Grand Circus Park) in a section designated for runners and their families are still available.

Championship timing will again be used so that age groups prizes can be awarded. Five year age groups up to 100 years old will receive a colorful embroidered wool caps with the Turkey Trot insignia. Turkey headed pencils will be handed to everyone completing the Mashed Potato Mile.

Cobo Hall’s Michigan room off Atwater is the site for registration, plus pre and post race activities. Expo and registration hours are noon to 9 on Wednesday, November 23 and 6 to 7:30 on Thursday. Parking on Cobo’s roof is only $3.

If you have never volunteered for a race, the Turkey Trot is an excellent opportunity to give back to the running community. More volunteers are still needed to help at registration, for course marshaling and at the dual water stop on Mack Avenue.

For more information go to the Turkey Trot web site at www.detroitturkeytrot.org of call the hotline at 313 247-4149. Volunteers should call the Parade Company at 313 923-7400.

Personal Bests:
26.2m - 2:13:34, 25km - 1:17:58, 13.1m - 1:04:51, 20km- 1:02:37, 10m - 48:33, 15km - 46:01, 10km - 29:44, 8km - 23:25