By Aubrie Sisk
Staff Photographer
@aubrie_sisk

Last year at the annual Turkey Trot, turkeys were being chased by pilgrims. Although the turkeys were children and the pilgrims were parents chasing them, this was a very humorous historical reference tons of families made. In 1940, the Turkey Trot was created when 107 people were told to run “to the big oak tree and back” at White Rock Lake and in 1968 it became a yearly event.

Although it started out as a casual eight mile run, today the Trot benefits the YMCA Teen and Family programs. There are three races: a 5K (timed and untimed), a one mile fun run and a eight mile race.

Thousands of people participate in the Turkey Trot yearly. People of all ages, kids, parents even grandparents come out to enjoy the festive event. Runners wear turkey hats and dress up as pilgrims. Sometimes even families dress up as pilgrims while the younger kids are turkeys being chased.

“There are dog parks for the race dogs, food for runners and a lot different sponsors in a VIP tent,” YMCA of Dallas associate vice president of communications Sarah Byron said. “The past couple of years we’ve even had bounce houses and clowns for the children,“

The Turkey Trot starts at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at Dallas City Hall. The race includes running through Deep Ellum and finishes on Young Street. Visit thetrot.org for more info!