Thanksgiving is a day of appreciation spent with family, friends and food. But before the holiday meals are eaten, hundreds of runners in Columbia race the Turkey Trax 5k. The race began at 8:30 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. The route starts in downtown Columbia, and branches out towards the Mizzou stadium before looping back. The top finishers win pies once they cross the finish line.
Many RBHS students participate in the race every year. This year, junior Isaiah Spellman was first place overall. Spellman was also a varsity cross country runner for RBHS this past season.
“Turkey Trax was fun because I got to see some old friends that I wouldn’t run with during the high school cross country season, and it gives you a reference point on how much you’ve improved over the year,” Spellman said. “For first place I got a pumpkin pie and a pat on the back.”
While some students race for the victory and pies, other students run with their families as a Thanksgiving tradition. Junior Greta Scheidt runs Turkey Trax every year with her family, which she credits as one of the main reasons that she likes the event.
“I’ve always liked running Turkey Trax because it has become a family tradition that we do every year,” Scheidt said. “Something that makes it stand out from other 5k runs is that they give out pies in addition to medals for placing in the top 3 of a division.”
Other cross country runners such as junior Jay Koller also participated in the race. Despite the cold weather, Koller was able to have a good time along with his friends at the race.