Ready, set, gobble Thanksgiving 5Ks provide family bonding opportunity Lily Thomas
W
thomalil000@hsestudents.org
ith only six participants, the first Turkey Trot took place in Buffalo, New York in 1896, as reported by the New York Times. The original race used to be an 8K, but was later shortened to a 5K. In recent years, Thanksgiving 5Ks have grown in popularity, with Running USA, a nonprofit that tracks racing trends, reporting it as the most popular holiday for road racing. According to an article from Active, a sports and recreational activities website, many participants dress up in Thanksgiving-related attire, some wearing turkey costumes or even bringing a live turkey. Some 5Ks also have prizes like a turkey-shaped medal or a race T-shirt. There are several Thanksgiving 5Ks around Indiana, such as the Drumstick Dash, Bolt for the Heart, the Gobble Wobble and the Wishbone 5K. The Wishbone 5K, organized by the Fishers YMCA, was fully virtual last year, but will return this year with in-person options for both a 5K and a 10K. Matthew Wire, the Race Director for the Wishbone 5K, hopes the race will have a total of 800 to 1,000 participants. Additionally, the race has a new course, adjusted to include part of the Nickel Plate Trail near the end. “The course is extremely flat and fast,” Wire said. “The lowest point on the course is 802 feet above sea level and the highest point is 823 feet above sea level, which makes it very runner-friendly and conducive to fast times.” This year, senior Kalli Agapios will be participating in the Wishbone 5K and hopes that after completing the race, she will feel less guilty about eating a big Thanksgiving meal later in the day. Her family decided to do a
Thanksgiving 5K before she goes off to college next fall. “It will definitely be a good family experience,” Agapios said. “We’re also very competitive, so to see who’s going to finish first will be interesting.” Senior Ben Greiwe has run many 5Ks during his high school cross-country career, but has yet to do a Thanksgiving 5K. However, he believes he would enjoy it as it would be a great bonding experience for him and his family. “Running 5Ks makes me feel accomplished because you’re doing something not a lot of people in the world would do,” Greiwe said. “So many people can’t run a 5K, so being able to run one makes you feel accomplished.” In the spirit of giving, many of the 5Ks donate the proceeds to charity. For example, the proceeds from the Drumstick Dash help provide care and meals for homeless individuals in the community. Currently, the Drumstick Dash has collected $35,164 with the goal of raising $80,000. The Bolt for the Heart 5K proceeds go towards purchasing automatic external defibrillators for police patrol cars. As for the Wishbone 5K, the money raised from runners benefits those in the Fishers community who would otherwise not be able to participate in YMCA programs, such as camps and other activities. “The Fishers YMCA is all about healthy living and community,” Wire said. “Participation in the Wishbone 5K embodies both of those elements and combines them into one family-friendly, holiday tradition. The Wishbone 5K allows people to give back to their community while participating in an event that contributes to their own health and well-being.”
Graphic by Lily Thomas
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