Record number of participants turn out Thanksgiving morning as 5K run/walk is held for the 13th year
Much of the crowd waiting to take part in Solvang Parks and Rec’s 13th annual Turkey Trot could be found in the usual running attire shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, maybe a headband or a few, but many chose a more festive choice of garb for the event, that was held on Thanksgiving morning for the second time.
Among the record crowd of approximately 225 participants were some who got a little creative with their jogging threads, making the event a real fun run.
One group in particular stood out as they seemed to be getting a head start on the Christmas celebration. Sara Mountin, who lives in Vandenberg Village near Lompoc proper, and several relatives, many visiting from Utah, were decked out in red and black sweatsuits with a likeness of Santa Claus on the back.
“I had a lot of family coming and we decided to do something different, coming here and having a little fun with the costumes,” Mountin said. “We ended up finding these at Walmart and ordered a bunch of them.
“It’s just a good way to enjoy the day, and get some exercise before the big meal.”
That was the idea the Solvang Parks and Rec staff had when they decided last year to start holding the event on Thanksgiving morning starting last year.
“The turnout has been outstanding; it’s the largest we’ve ever had,” said Solvang Park’s and Rec Director Jenny McClurg. “This isn’t a competitive race at all — we’re not entering times or naming a winner, people can go the whole 5K, or just part of it. We’re just having people get together and have a good time.”
Longtime Parks and Rec staffer Fred Lageman 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 songs all throughout the event. Meanwhile, Recreation Clerk Elisa Monroy and the department’s newest employee, Recreation Coordinator Jalen Gragston, were on the move handing out water to those who wanted it, and giving medals for kids and adults who completed a lap.
As McClurg said, there were no winners named, although Santa Maria resident Richie Ortiz did happen to complete the 5 kilometers before anybody.
“It’s great to come out here and do this,” Ortiz said. “Along with this and the half-marathon earlier this year, Solvang puts on some good events.”
Also at the event was Ivan Becerra, who coaches aspiring runners with IB1 Training, based at Sunny Field Park.
“I came to see some of my students who are running in this,” he said. “We knew this was coming on Thanksgiving andwe got quite a few in our program to show up and do this.”
Keeping with the informal nature of the run, many participants did the 5K with their dogs, while others pushed their very young kids along in strollers, while many runners were shown to be part of a larger group with corresponding running wear.
Oscar Diaz of Santa Ynez came to the Turkey Trot with his family, and they were noticeable with their bright orange T-shirts. Oscar’s shirt showed a list that was probably his planned informal schedule for the day: “Run. Turkey. Beer. Nap.”
“I had a great time doing this,” Diaz said as he relaxed post-race with his daughter Andrea, who is on the Santa Ynez High track and field team, competing in the high jump. “This is just a cool thing to do and brings some team spirit. Now we can go home and have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.”
Also teaming up for an enjoyable morning was the Trot Squad group, some of whom wore special T-shirts made for the occasion. Part of the group was Derek Ferguson, who along with his wife Samantha, moved to Orcutt from Washington, D.C.
“We been in some running events before and wanted to get started out here,” he said. “We found some new friends out here and decided to do this. It’s been a lot of run.”
Of course, with the run over, Ferguson was looking forward to the meal late that day, but he had something else in mind first.
“We’re going over to [downtown] Solvang to find a place where I can have a beer,” he said.
