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Once again Thanksgiving Day is charging at us undeterred by the tasks that must be done before 5,000 or more runners can cover the distance and finish one of four races, a 1-mile race that starts Thanksgiving morning at 8 a.m. The 5K, 10K and a 15K races start together at 8:30 a.m.

You can find a lot more detail at tallyturkeytrot.com or gulfwinds.org.  You can also register at either of those places or at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Tallahassee/tallyturkeytrot?remMeAttempt=.

While Tallahassee is not the only city to have a race on Thanksgiving Day, our race is uniquely Tallahassee. It is a place for families and friends to gather on Thanksgiving Day. Big enough to support a large race, but small enough still that you think you should know everyone. 

In the fall of 1974, I loaded nearly everything I owned into my car and headed north to Tallahassee, and Florida State University. Earlier that year, I graduated from Lakeland High School after spending one full year and part of another being a Dreadnought. I like to say I grew up all over the southeast including places as far west as Waco, Texas, and as far north as Chattanooga, Tennessee. Chattanooga was also the largest, I think, and maybe Lawtey, Florida was the smallest (723) according to Google (in 2017). 

I cannot recall spending any significant time in Tallahassee before 1974. I am sure we passed through it on family trips from Starke and Lawtey to Chattahoochee. I had no particular desire to live in Tallahassee, but there was a college willing to take my application and teach me enough to get into law school and pass the Florida bar exam. I really expected to go somewhere else. 

But like so many others, somewhere along the way something happened, and Tallahassee became home and my community.  I think it is a special place to live.  

There was no Visit Tallahassee back in those days, but there was a unique sense of community and some strange concept called canopy roads. There were trails through the heart of the city, sink holes to the south, crystal clear springs nearby to swim in, rivers everywhere for paddling, lakes for fishing, a Gulf coast with an Alligator Point and a spectacular wildlife refuge, dirt roads with Spanish moss and miles and miles of trails to run.

But most importantly, there was and remains a sense of community.  We still say hello to each other on the sidewalks and more importantly on the trails.  If we need each other, we reach out with a helping hand.  

Nowhere is this any more evident than in our running community, and especially in Gulf Winds Track Club, the group that organizes Turkey Trot and a gazillion other activities during the year for all ages. 2019 has been an exciting year watching young kids who love to run get that opportunity.

Last year we talked about the “stroller” revolution at Turkey Trot, this year it seems the elementary schools and middle school cross country programs are reaching new heights, and yet I hear of many examples where more coaches are needed.   Tallahassee is one of the most “kid” friendly places to live with opportunities for participation in many sports.  

Turkey Trot continues to support many causes with the three largest beneficiaries being the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Big Bend, the Kearney Center and The Refuge House. You will also find a “donate” button on the registration page. Become a Turkey Trot Hero and your donation goes directly to these charities. This year the Big Bend Coalition for the Homeless will be collecting items to fill the U-Haul.

The best opportunity to register and pick up your packet is this Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Turkey Trot Festival at Goodwood Museum & Gardens. 1600 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308.  Instead of fighting registration crowds on race day, you can pick up your number and shirt that day from 1:30 – 5 p.m.The smart participants will register online before making the trip to Goodwood.  

Learn about your health, fitness and tastes in music at the festival. We will let you sign up in person too if you would rather do that. And registration fees go up after we pack up at the Festival. The band, Low Country Boyle, will be playing and there will be a special appearance by the Stick Patrol of the Boys and Girls Clubs.  

The good thing about Turkey Trot is you don’t really have to think hard about these things. It is Thanksgiving so just come and be a part of something that brings us all together. Say hello to as many people as you can and go home having run as hard as you want and with a big smile on your face.

David Yon is addicted to running. In his spare time, he is an attorney with the Radey Law Firm.

What: Tallahassee Turkey Trot

When: 1-mile race that starts Thanksgiving morning at 8 a.m. The 5K, 10K and a 15K races start together at 8:30 a.m.

Where: Southwood

Registration:1:30-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, registration and packet pick up at the Turkey Trot Festival at Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Road.

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