Event at Sunny Fields Park in Solvang brings holiday celebrants from near and far
For the 14th time in Solvang, and third time on Thanksgiving morning, the Solvang Parks and Rec Department held the Turkey Trot on Nov. 27 at Sunny Fields Park, giving a huge numbers of participants a chance for an active start to the holiday.
The number of participants looked to be around 200, although it didn’t reach the number of last year’s 225, Elisa Monroy of Solvang Parks and Rec was pleased with the number.
“I think it’s a great turnout,” Monroy said as she set up water tables for those who would need a little refreshment. “Last year was our best turnout yet, so it’s a high bar, but we have a good crowd and good weather, so it should be fun.”
And fun is what a lot of people have at the event. The Turkey Trot wasn’t considered a race, but just a chance for locals and visitors to get a little exercise. Participants ran up to nine laps (which would earn them a medal) around the park’s huge grass field, dropping a penny (all supplied by Parks and Rec) in a bucket at the start/finish line to keep track.
Longtime Parks and Rec staffer Fred Lageman again contributed to the atmosphere as the emcee, counting down to the start of the run, and then keeping the participants going by serving as DJ and putting on tunes to keep the runners upbeat and energized.
For some it was a chance to do a serious run, but for most it was just a leisurely run or stroll. Some did the course with their kids in strollers. Some did it with their dogs. Some ran or walked with costumes or clothing carrying the Thanksgiving theme.
While the event wasn’t considered a race, it was noted when Los Angeles-area resident Atticus Li became the first to finish his nine laps.
“I’m up here for the holiday; my family has a house up here, and I like to take the opportunity to go on a good run,” Li said after finishing up. “I’m always super-excited to come up here and do this run. Every time I come up here, it’s a really good community vibe.”
The vibes were really good for the Peng-Shah family from San Francisco — father Tien, mother Rupal, and children Leela and Arjun — who all ran the course wearing identical blue “Mehta Family” T-shirts.
“That’s my wife’s side of the family,” Tien said. “There’s about 30 of us and they had shirts made, so we wore them here so we find each other.”
Rupal Peng-Shah said she did a little running back home, but was excited for this one.
“It’s my first 5K,” she said. “I wanted to do it right here for Thanksgiving.”
When asked about the rest of her holiday weekend, Rupal said, “Oh, probably just watching football and eating dinner, then maybe a wine-tasting tomorrow.”
A returning runner from last year was Ethan Moore, recognizable by running in his inflatable turkey costume covering the lower part of his body. In addition to running in the sometimes uncomfortable costume, he spent some of the run carrying his young relative, Gabriel Moore.
“As usual, I had a good time, but this guy [Gabriel Moore] got a little tired so I had to pick him up.”
Meanwhile, quite a few runners maneuvered the course with their four-legged canine friends, including Johnny and Liz Deim from Santa Ynez, who had their dogs Crosby and Felix with them.
“I think he definitely ran some of the race on his own,” Liz Deim said pointing to Crosby. “I just had to keep up.”
This was the first time at the Turkey Trot for the Deims.
“We had heard about it in the past, so we decided ‘hey, let’s do it,’” Liz said. “Also it was a chance to do something for charity and something for the holiday. Now we can get ready to spend Thanksgiving with some friends in Los Olivos.”
“I feel like we’ve earned a big turkey dinner,” said Johnny, with a laugh.
Meanwhile, the race also had a local dignitary, as David Silva, the mayor of neighboring Buellton, and his husband Jason Stone took part in the run for the first time.
“Yeah, we did not set a personal record out there today,” Silva said after completing the run. “It was about 3.2 miles more than what we are used to. We left everything out there on the field [laughing].”
However, for Silva, it was more than just the run.
“For Solvang Parks and Rec to put this on, it’s just great,” he said. “It’s just what small-town living is all about. To see the serious runners, but also the ones of all ages and skills sets. And it benefits local charity, so that’s another good thing.”
Ultimately, like all the other participants, Silva had a big holiday dinner to look forward to.
“I’m ready for the meal,” he said. “The Catholic guilt is gone for any calories.”
