Detroit Turkey Trot
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

Detroit's Turkey Trot presented by Fifth Third Bank is the largest 10km race in Michigan. It has become the "Tradition before the Tradition" as their theme pronounces.   Over 6,000 runners come into the city to enjoy the run and America's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Runners will share a new experience from years past.   The race has been moved back to Cobo Center but rather than finish inside Cobo via the loading dock, runners will enjoy the riverfront start and finish on Atwater.   Cobo's warm Michigan room will be used to register runners and serve as a post race gathering place.

Organizers plan to attempt something rarely done. Usually just the first few hundred trotters were timed and awarded prizes.   Adding chip timing will enable complete scoring and age group prizes to be awarded.   What will be a challenge is getting everyone his or her chip and number before the 7:45 am start.   Registration will be open from noon to 9 pm on Wednesday the 24 th but 75 percent of the runners will show up on race morning.

Organizers hope good signage, Cobo's spaciousness and a solid core of volunteers will make registration run smoothly.   More volunteers are still needed to help at registration and with the dual water stop in front of Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Max Fisher Music Center.

The course has dramatically changed.   It winds up Civic Center Drive to Jefferson Avenue, then out and back along much of the parade route on Woodward Avenue.   The boulevard of Warren along with Second, Prentis and Cass Avenues will serve as a natural turnaround and separator for the runners returning to back down Woodward to the finish.

It appears that another tradition has begun.   Runners were given the opportunity to donate money to the race producers, The Parade Company, in return for a seat in a special section of bleachers designated for the runners.   Those seats sold out in a week.   Other bleacher seating is still available and may be purchased by going to the Parade Co.'s website at www.theparade.org or taking your chances to buy them at the registration area.

Missing this year will be the Motor City Striders. After 18 years of timing and organizing the event they have decided to take the race off their schedule. Fifth Third Bank Vice President Jack Riley named Solstice Run director Alan Whitehead and myself to take over the reins.   It is hoped that the Striders will return as the host club.

Back again for the second year is the Mash Potato Mile.   It follows a similar route as the Trot with the same start and finish.   The first five hundred kids will receive a pencil with a Turkey eraser head. Costumed runners have also been a fixture in the main event.   Spectators can expect to see make believe Santa's, reindeer, turkeys and other creative outfits.

If you have never volunteered for a race, the Turkey Trot is an excellent opportunity to give back to the running community.   Call the Parade Company at 313 923-7400 to show your support.

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226