The Student News Site of Rock Bridge High School

Bearing News

The Student News Site of Rock Bridge High School

Bearing News

The Student News Site of Rock Bridge High School

Bearing News

Community members participate in annual Turkey Trax

The+2018+Turkey+Trax+helped+support+the+Central+MO+American+Red+Cross.++Runners+from+around+the+area+raced+the+5k+before+beginning+traditional+celebrations.
The 2018 Turkey Trax helped support the Central MO American Red Cross. Runners from around the area raced the 5k before beginning traditional celebrations.

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.

“[Turkey Trax] was good despite not running in a while. It was kinda chilly at the starting line, but once you got going it warmed up and was good running weather,” Koller said. “My favorite part about it is just hanging out and running with my friends and enjoying the sport of running.”
No matter the reasons behind racing, Turkey Trax participants came with the intention of racing with the people in their lives that matter most to them. Considering the race’s timing on a holiday revolving around giving thanks, there couldn’t be a better reason to participate in the Turkey Trax.
“Turkey Trax is a lot of fun to participate in and is enjoyable for everyone, whether they are competing to win the race, or are just trying to get a little bit of exercise in before a Thanksgiving meal,” Scheidt said.
Did you run the Turkey Trax? Let us know in the comments below.

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  • R

    RossDec 13, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    Good grief, id sure hate to go and run a race the day of thanksgiving. Seems like a miserable time but I guess some people like it.

    Reply
  • S

    SarahNov 29, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    I love that this event was covered! I’ve done a few 5ks in the winter/fall and I can definitely speak to how hard it is to get started in the cold.

    Reply