While New York City has the tradition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, we have our own tradition here in the East Valley. It’s called the Mesa Turkey Trot, and it’s a Thanksgiving Day 10K event that has taken place every year since 1969. Nowadays, it has grown so large that the event has had to make a change of venue to Red Mountain Park. Here’s some more info on the event.
Runners can participate in either the 10K competitive run, a 2-mile fun run/walk and a 1-mile fun run/walk. Registration for the event is already open, and fees for the 10K are $25 until November 15th. Afterwards, the rate increases to $30. Proceeds from the Turkey Trot will benefit Care Partnership, a full-time pediatric and dental care facility, and the Sequia School of hearing impaired students. Packets for the race can be picked up at 7 a.m. at the park on the day of the race or at the Runner’s Den located at 6505 N. 16th Street in Phoenix on Tuesday, November 24th or at Fire Station 201 at 360 E. 1st Street in Mesa on Wednesday, November 25th.
Parking for the event at Red Mountain High School, just west of the Red Mountain Park at 7745 E. Brown Road in Mesa. The 1-mile run starts at 8, followed by the 2-mile run at 8:15, and the 10K at 9 a.m.
If you’re part of an organization that would like to sponsor the Mesa Turkey Trot, contact the Mesa Sertoma club by going to mesasertoma.com/contact_us.
Training for and participating in a running event is a great way to get the whole family outdoors together. It’s also a great way to curtail the effects of the Thanksgiving dinner you’re going to eat together afterwards. For registration and more information on this Mesa tradition, go to the Turkey Trot website.
Mesa Turkey Trot
