Karen Charles:
The City of Longmont was approached to continue the Turkey Trot race 18 years ago. Prior to that time, the Longmont YMCA ran the race for 19 years, but had decided not going to continue it. I'm having a harder time remembering 18 years ago, but either the date was already set or we looked at other races during the same time frame within Boulder County and surrounding areas and came upon a non-conflicting date.
The City of Longmont was approached to continue the Turkey Trot race 18 years ago. Prior to that time, the Longmont YMCA ran the race for 19 years, but had decided not going to continue it. I'm having a harder time remembering 18 years ago, but either the date was already set or we looked at other races during the same time frame within Boulder County and surrounding areas and came upon a non-conflicting date.
Talk about the organization required for such an event :
Karen Charles:
Many races are done by companies that are solely set up to plan and direct races. The City of Longmont, Recreation Services currently holds 3 running races (Mud Hen, Rogers River Run and Longmont Turkey Trot) and a youth and adult Triathlon. These races are in addition to our other workloads of running other special events, day to day programming and facility operation. Teamwork is instrumental in organizing and implementing our races and everyone chips in. The hardest part of organizing is getting things started and then getting busy with other irons in the fire and then picking up the pieces again to make sure everything is run smoothly and efficiently. I am very grateful and proud of our team and how well we support each other to make the most of our events.
The Longmont Turkey Trot turns 37 this year. Why do you think the race has been so successful?
Karen Charles:
Consistency is the key to running a good event. If I haven't been the race director, I have been involved with the Longmont Turkey Trot since the City of Longmont took reins. Also, I have been a race director since 1983 and have been competitive in many races from this same time period. Running in events and knowing what people appreciate are key to being successful. One thing that helps considerably is having a reliable timing company. They are key to how well people perceive your event.
Consistency is the key to running a good event. If I haven't been the race director, I have been involved with the Longmont Turkey Trot since the City of Longmont took reins. Also, I have been a race director since 1983 and have been competitive in many races from this same time period. Running in events and knowing what people appreciate are key to being successful. One thing that helps considerably is having a reliable timing company. They are key to how well people perceive your event.
How would you describe the course this year?
Karen Charles:The 10k course is fast and almost completely flat. Last year in our first year with this course, I received a lot of positive feedback. The 2 mile course was changed this year to give people more elbow room and make it wheelchair accessible. It will also be mostly flat and a good course for viewing the mountains.
Karen Charles:The 10k course is fast and almost completely flat. Last year in our first year with this course, I received a lot of positive feedback. The 2 mile course was changed this year to give people more elbow room and make it wheelchair accessible. It will also be mostly flat and a good course for viewing the mountains.
Most running events have a great set of sponsors. Talk about how you have been able to engage the local community?
Sponsors are key to races. They really help make it a community event. It has been a pleasure working with Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage after our local Butterball plant was sold. Outback Steakhouse provides a fabulous meal, grilled right on sight and has been great to work with as well. Even though our local newspaper, Times-Call was sold, they have been willing to help with the much needed advertising. They have been gracious to come to most of the races which is a huge help as the race participants love to open the paper the next day and see all the photos and read the stories. We were fortunate enough to have a grant from State Farm last year that provided middle school youth with free entries into the Turkey Trot. Although the grant is over, we established a group rate for all schools to participate so we can keep encouraging our youth to stay active.
The thing that makes me most proud of this event, is the number of families that participate. It is so cool to see multi-generations running and walking together just to get out and enjoy our beautiful Colorado weather and scenery!
