Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to devour delicious turkeys, homemade stuffing, and creamy pies. It’s a time when you unbutton your jeans to fit more food and indulge in the cheat day of a lifetime.
But for some people, it’s an opportunity to get a run in and stay active before that traditional feast of bountiful food. For the first time in two years, the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Department is honoring those active people with its annual 3-mile Turkey Trot and 1-mile Kids Turkey Dash, said Lompoc Supervisor of Sports Chad Dawson.
“I hope people will be anxious to get out and run again. This is our first run since Jan. 1, 2020,” Dawson said. “I’m excited; anything that can bring families out to have fun and get exercise at the same time is worth it.”
Dawson said he hopes for a turnout of about 30 people, and the weather on run day is expected to be in the 80s—rare warmth for this time of year.
“Generally, I hope people feel safe enough to participate, and I do think people really want to get back to being active. … Thus far, turnouts for our events have been pretty high as we’ve opened,” he said.
Check-in—or day-of registration—begins at 8 a.m. Nov. 21 at the River Park Fitness Trail, and the 1-mile kids run begins at 9 a.m. The 3-mile event begins at 9:30 with everything wrapping up around 10:30 a.m., Dawson said.
Pumpkin pies will be awarded to the second and third place best overall times in each category, and the winner of the fastest overall time will go home with a frozen turkey. First, second, and third place winners in women’s, men’s, and children’s groups will receive medals at the end of the race, Dawson said.
“About 90 percent of the people that show up go home with something,” he added.
Dawson said he’s most excited for the community—from ages 8 to 75—coming back together and giving people the opportunity to be active.
“There’s a giant sense of camaraderie. Everyone’s rooting each other on,” he said. “They are competing against one another, but they are really competing against themselves [to get better].”
Turkey trotters aren’t limited by levels of expertise; people can walk or run the 3 miles. People can also show up and support if physical activity isn’t their pre-Thanksgiving priority, he continued.
“We have participants all the way from athletes on the cross country team, to the person just going out trying to do the exercise and lose a little weight,” he said. “We have people that can run it in 18 minutes, and people that are doing a quick walk [in] 45 minutes.”
“You do not have to run; it’s open to any person that wants to participate in something healthy,” he continued.
There are no COVID-19 mask requirements since it’s an outdoor event, but participants are welcome to wear masks and are encouraged to follow CDC social-distancing guidelines. The Lompoc Parks and Recreation staff will be wearing masks during the event, Dawson said.
Dawson’s main concern prior to the event is making sure everyone brings enough water to stay hydrated on the warm, sunny day; recreation department staff will bring extra water to hand out during the trot.
“Just bring water, sunscreen, and a positive attitude,” he said.
Pre-registration is open until Nov. 19; it’s $25 per adult athlete and $10 per child; day-of registration will be $5 more for each age group, and it’s cash only. T-shirts will be available to purchase for $10 the day of the trot. The River Park Fitness Trail is located at Highway 246 and Sweeney Road.
For more information, contact the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Department at (805) 875-8100.
Highlight
Santa Barbara County nonprofit C.A.R.E.4Paws invites community members to support the Donation Drive-Thru and Home for the Holidays Adoption Festival on Dec. 4. The event will provide resources that keep pets with their families for life and inspiring forever homes for adoptable animals. The C.A.R.E.4Paws team needs dry and canned pet food, and financial contributions—which will go toward pet food and mobile clinic wellness services. Businesses wanting to participate should contact C.A.R.E.4Paws at wendy@care4paws.org, and volunteers can sign up prior to the event by emailing volunteer@care4paws.org. The Santa Maria adoption festival will take place at the Elks Lodge—1309 N. Bradley Road—from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor wrote this week’s Spotlight. Reach her at toconnor@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 18-25, 2021.
