On Saturday, Mississippi State University will host the 14th annual Turkey Trot Race. The Turkey Trot consists of a 5K and an 8K race and is open to anyone who wants to participate. There are also senior and junior categories.
The event is named Turkey Trot because the event is normally held in November, as close to the Thanksgiving holiday as possible. Because of the holiday season, the first place winner of each category would win a turkey. This year, however, due to home football games and the cancellation of fall break, the date was moved up. With a date so close to Halloween this year, a “best costume” prize will be given out.
Brent Crocker, assistant director at the Sanderson Center and person in charge of the Turkey Trot, said college students usually are the ones participating in the race.
“The majority of the participants are college students, and that’s who it’s really geared towards,” he said.
Crocker also said even though fast runners and pre-race training are encouraged, many of the participants are first-time racers. Because of this, a main goal of the event is to introduce people to running. For these beginners, the course is clearly marked.
Annie Reininger, senior secondary education major and first-time runner in this year’s Turkey Trot race, said she thought this would be a fun way to hang out with her sister, exercise and assist those in need.
“I thought this would be a fun activity for my sister and me to do. We are also going to get dressed up for the run,” she said. “It’s a great way to socialize with folks, get in a good workout and help people out.”
Registration for the Turkey Trot will be in the lobby of the Sanderson Center. The course begins in front of the Sanderson Center, winds through campus and ends in the parking lot across the street from the Sanderson Center.
The Turkey Trot also has a canned food drive. All runners are encouraged to bring at least three canned food items either at registration, when they run or during the week following the event. All of the food will be donated to the Starkville Food Pantry.
To run in the race, participants must pay a fee. Registration from now until the time of the race costs $23 for the 5K and $25 for the 8K. These fees cover the race T-shirts and other race supplies. The proceeds will then be used to send recreational sports students, staff and graduate assistants to professional development conferences and workshops.
Crocker said graduate assistants play a major role in putting the Turkey Trot together.
“We delegate duties out to our graduate assistants, so our graduate assistants are in charge of certain areas of the race,” he said.
Julie Rhoads, graduate student in sports administration, said the Turkey Trot will be a test of the teamwork skills of the graduate assistants involved.
“The Turkey Trot is our first major event for the public that the graduate assistants have to put on,” she said. “Are we able to come together and put on a good show? That is what I’m looking at to see if we can get the job done and serve the students here at Mississippi State and serve the public, as well.”
Rhoads also said helping the public so close to Thanksgiving is also a major goal of the Turkey Trot.
“Helping out in that aspect is definitely one of our strides to make sure that we can help out during the month of November and the Thanksgiving holiday to help the people that are in need in Starkville,” she said.
Crocker said several people and businesses are sponsoring the event, and each plays a vital role in the success of the Turkey Trot.
“A lot of local businesses help put it on, and we could not do it without their support,” he said.
A complete list of sponsors will be displayed at the Turkey Trot.