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TURKEY TROT Turkey Trot: A time to eat, a time to run It's a pre-Thanksgiving meal tradition for runners from as far away as Alaska Comment By Daniel Newberry for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Daniel Newberry for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 27, 2014 at 11:01 PM By Daniel Newberry for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 27, 2014 at 11:01 PM » Social News A gaggle of costumed turkeys gathered at the Medford Rock Gym Thursday in the early morning fog. These gobblers represented but a few of the 1,031 runners who flocked to the ninth-annual Turkey Trot run organized by Southern Oregon Runners. Although a pilgrim, a reindeer and groups of dancers in tutus could also be spotted at the starting line, it was the venerable turkey that was the most popular costume at what has become an annual pre-meal tradition for many extended families in the Rogue Valley. “We’ve done this at least three times,” said Cheryl Hyde, a Medford resident, who along with eight other family members wore yellow tutus. “Some of us — the Plumer cousins —c ame up from Chico to run. The adults are running the eight-mile (race), and the kids are running the two-mile.” Tessa Williams, 25, arrived from San Francisco to race her brother, Tanner, 17, and also to eat a home-cooked meal at her family’s Central Point home. Some arrived from further afield. According to incoming race director Lisa Combs, residents of Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, and Washington were among those who participated in Thursday’s events. The Turkey Trot accommodates both the casual and the serious runner with two- and eight-mile timed races. The course for both follows the Bear Creek Greenway. Several changes were made this year to the traditional routes. To avoid congestion on that narrow bike path, Combs marked off a separate “Family Run” course to prevent the walkers and more casual runners from colliding with their time-conscious counterparts. The longer eight-mile race was also altered. “On Fern Valley Road, they’ve got the bike path shut down for construction,” Combs explained. “So we had them run north to McAndrews and back.” To introduce the next generation to running, a 100-yard dash for pre-schoolers inaugurated the race schedule. Nearly 30 tots trotted, some as young as 2, such as Abigail Wright of Medford, who was guided by her grandfather, Scott Pastene. Not all families with tiny children chose the dash. Talent parents Anne and Taylor Cropper took turns pushing a stroller that carried 2-year-old Clara and 3-year-old Carter.  Their two older children, ages 6 and 8, accompanied them on the two-miler, albeit under their own power. “As a family, we’ve also done the Monster Dash, the Holiday Hustle and the Pear Blossom (races),” said Anne Cropper. For many runners, the Turkey Trot is a way to provide a healthy balance for the afternoon meal. “I’m running the eight-mile (race) so I can burn a lot of calories to eat a lot,” joked Melissa Johnson, an Ashland mom who brought her daughters, Jannessa and Kara, to the early morning race. The Turkey Trot is a benefit for the Medford nonprofit ACCESS Inc. food bank. During the first eight years of this race, approximately $30,000 has been raised, said former race director Chuck Whiteley. Daniel Newberry is a freelance writer living in the Applegate Valley.  You can email him at [email protected]. By Daniel Newberry for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Daniel Newberry for the Mail Tribune Posted Nov. 27, 2014 at 11:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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