Since 2010, a Ultramax Sports has put on a 5K in Columbia titled TurkeyTrax. The event is Thanksgiving morning each year; creators say its purpose is to bring families together for a Turkey Day workout.

Thursday, Nov. 28, participants will take off from RBHS at 8:30 a.m. on their 3.12 mile trek around the north side of Columbia. This is no professional race according to Kaela Rorvig, event manager of TurkeyTrax; anyone is capable of finishing and encouraged to participate.

“It’s a 5K, so it’s a distance that literally everyone can do, whether you walk, run, or jog.  It’s probably the most ‘laid-back’ race we do all year. We see a lot of families and large groups participate together,” Rorvig said in an email interview. “People do it one year and it becomes a tradition … it’s a fun, healthy and positive way for families and friends to do something active together before they go home to cook and eat all day.”

“Thanksgiving is one of the biggest racing days out of the year. We saw how successful other Thanksgiving Day races are around the state and the country and decided that Columbia needed its own,” Rorvig said. “I think Thanksgiving is a big day for racing because, even if it is only a 5K, people feel good doing something active before their big feast.”

The event requires many helping hands in order to help the race run smoothly. RBHS’s National Honors Society has advertised the run to its members hoping many would sign up to help. Volunteers can aid in tasks such as handing out packets before the race, directing runners on the course, passing out water and removing time chips. Ultramax Sports tries to recruit about 75-100 people to help with these various tasks each year and there’s something for everyone, according to Rorvig. Senior Kristen Buster, a member of NHS, plans to give up time on her Thanksgiving morning to work a water station.
“I decided to volunteer because I needed some NHS points and I knew I would be in town that day,” Buster said. “I had helped at a race similar to this before and really enjoyed it.”
TurkeyTrax’s title sponsor is Advanced Radiology, which has helped to keep this race going for several years now. Not only is this a race for the community, it is also is a charity event. A portion of the proceeds will go to several local organizations.

By Brittany Cornelison
Will you be participating in TurkeyTrax this year?