Turkey Trot 5K celebrates its 3rd year

A nationwide Thanksgiving tradition, the Turkey Trot has been at Utah State University since 2021.

“We were looking for a way to bring people back together while being outside,” said Katie Burns, director of Campus Recreation. “It was a huge hit that first year.”

Burns said that the competitive nature of the participants keeps the tradition going.

“It is amazing to me how many people run – sometimes a race just forces us to push ourselves a little bit harder,” Burns said.

Amanda Bray, associate director of programs and assessment, said there’s a lot of camaraderie amongst the competition. 

“Everybody really enjoys the atmosphere that they get, just because it’s being out there with friends or family,” Bray said. “Then there are people that are there cheering them on as they’re going through the course.”

Bray said there are lots of people who go to win and others who just walk the course for fun.

“You could be an athlete or a cross-country runner,” Bray said. “But then we also have a lot of groups that are just friends that are just looking for a fun event to do on campus.”

The USU Turkey Trot puts on a food drive for the Family Place, an organization that supports survivors of family violence. 

“Their mission is to strengthen families and protect children by providing fun and family-focused events in the community,” Bray said. “Some of those offerings include therapy services, education workshops and kids’ places.”

According to Burns, the collected food goes to children and families in need.

“I believe it is in the spirit of Thanksgiving that we’re acknowledging what we have and sharing out of that,” Burns said.

The upcoming Turkey Trot will take place Nov. 17, and volunteers are welcome to join.

“Different organizations on campus like our clubs — they’ll come and they’ll be the ones volunteering and working,” Bray said. “They’re also the ones that are there cheering and supporting the students.”

For students who have engaged in the Turkey Trot before, Bray said participants won’t have the same experience twice.

“We change our course every year to kind of keep it interesting,” Bray said.

In addition, participants can be motivated to win the first place prize.

“Our top two, the male and female, get a turkey,” Bray said. “That’s kind of like another award and competition that everybody tries to strive for.”

Burns said the date being Nov. 17 works well for students who are interested in having an action-packed Friday.

“This year, it is right before a women’s basketball game against Weber State,” Burns said. “Why not come run, hang out with some other cool students at the finish line, then head over to cheer on the Aggies?”

All USU students can be registered in the race for $5, and other members of the community can be registered for $10.

“Even if you’re not registered, it’d be awesome that people come out and cheer racers on,” Bray said. “Then also help bring food donations for the Family Place.”

The event will begin at 4 p.m. on Friday.

“We will send you all the specifics once you register, but it starts and ends at the ARC,” Burns said. “Remember that campus is on a hill, so pretty much every course has a little bit of a hill you get to run up.”

Bray said it’s important for participants and volunteers to dress warmly in preparation for the race.

 “We’re trying something different to make it closer to the holiday,” Bray said. “It is going to be chilly.”

 Participants can visit recportal.usu.edu to register for the race. 

For more information about The Family Place, visit thefamilyplaceutah.org.