Capital city residents have a chance to add an extra course to their Thanksgiving meal — a race course that is.
Juneau’s ninth annual Turkey Trot 1-mile and 5K run/walk at the Airport Dike Trail is on the menu Thanksgiving morning for residents who want a chance to waddle off some calories for a good cause. Funds from this year’s race will go toward benefiting the Glacier Swim Club and the Thunder Mountain High School cross-country team.
Tyra MacKinnon, race organizer, said the race is a great way to “get out and get some fresh air” while also supporting groups in the Juneau community.
“I think it’s a wonderful time to hang out with your community and friends in family and start your Thanksgiving day out on a positive note while also supporting our youth athletic groups,” she said.
MacKinnon said in past races there has been a steady turnout of around 300 participants, and she expects this year to be similar, and she encourages participants to wear Thanksgiving-themed costumes for the race.
This year is the second time the swim club and THMS cross-country team are the beneficiaries of the race, which MacKinnon said are just some of many groups the race has donated to over the years.
Jon Stearns, the co-head coach of TMHS cross-country team, said it’s a fun event for the team to be a part of the race and a huge benefit for the team.
“It’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s great to have people support us — it’s no small thing.”
Stearns said the funds from the race will go toward the teams’ travel expenses and allow students to travel to more places to race throughout their coming season. Team members will be volunteering throughout the course on race day, along with a few joining in on the race as well.
“It’s pretty awesome to be a part of it,” he said. It’s really cool to see people get behind the program — people have been so generous and it speaks volumes.”
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.
Know & Go
What: Turkey Trot 1mile and 5K run/walk
Where: Airport Dike Ttrail, the end of Radcliffe Road.
When: The mile starts at 9:30 a.m.;the 5K starts at 10 a.m.
Registration: 1 mile $10; 5K $15, pre-register at https://turkeytrotjuneau2022.eventbrite.com, Nugget AK Outfitter, or before the race at 9 a.m.
