From the start to the end of the turkey trot, people ran through the bitter morning cold in costumes ranging from turkeys and dinosaurs to aliens and baseball players. At the finish line, DJs blasted music, and awards like best costume and fastest dog were announced.
Each year, the Franklin Park Coalition hosts a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning, drawing a large showing from Brookline and other communities across the area.
Mike Carpentier, the race director and a member of the board of directors, said there were about 2,600 runners this year, a record high for the event.
“We have sold out [in] the last five years. I keep raising the cap and keep selling out anyway,” Carpentier said.
The race originated when a group of Boston Marathon runners needed a fundraiser for their charity team. Carpentier said the race started with only 150 participants, but it has since grown into the turkey trot it is today.
“It has grown slowly and carefully over time to its own event, and frankly, it’s probably our biggest event now,” Carpentier said.
As the park’s largest event, it attracts participants from numerous communities and race teams across the region. Sophomore Vivian Siegel, a top-three runner for her age class at the event, gave background on her particular race team.
“I run with 261 Fearless, which is a global nonprofit founded by Katherine Switzer, who was the first woman to officially register for and run the Boston Marathon in 1967,” Siegel said.
Carpentier said a major goal was attracting runners from outside the immediate community. The hope appeared to be met, as many Brookline families make the trek to Franklin Park every Thanksgiving.
Flavia Guerreiro, a mother of two Brookline students, said she loves the bright environment and that her family tries to participate every year.
“It’s become a tradition. We don’t get to do it every year because normally I cook the turkey, but we try to come every year that we can,” Guerreiro said.
Guerreiro said her family enjoyed their return this year to the physical activity and welcoming environment of the Turkey Trot.
“I think it’s so awesome to be outside and be active and burn some calories before the big meal. It’s lovely, all the families, dogs, everybody’s welcome.” Guerreiro said.
According to Siegel, the event is so special and continues to bring people back year after year.
“It’s just a really great community feeling here,” Siegel said. “It’s playful, people are in costumes, people bring their dogs and their strollers and it’s a wonderful way to start Thanksgiving.”
