Before you start figuring out where the best coffee shops are (spoiler: there are many) in Redmond, let’s talk about a running tradition that perfectly captures the spirit of community, fun, and maybe a little competitive hunger: the Turkey Trot.
You might think a run happening before a massive Thanksgiving meal is a new, health-conscious fad. Wrong. The history of the Turkey Trot is almost as rich as the gravy you’ll be pouring on your mashed potatoes. And once you understand it, you’ll see why a city like Redmond, which values both innovation and community, is the ideal place to lace up your shoes.
The First Finish Line: A 129-Year-Old Tradition
The very first Turkey Trot in recorded history took place way back on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1896, in Buffalo, New York. Yes, you read that right: 1896. That’s 129 years ago!
The Buffalo YMCA hosted the race, and the original course was a gruelling eight-kilometer (about five-mile) cross-country route. Just six runners showed up for that inaugural run. Can you imagine? Six brave souls decided to conquer five miles before tucking into their turkey. The winner, a gentleman named Henry A. Allison, finished in a swift 31 minutes and 12 seconds.
The run was primarily a way for the local athletic club to keep its members active during the colder months and before the start of the indoor track season. It wasn’t about burning off calories for pie yet; it was simply about the joy of running and a little friendly competition. It immediately became an annual fixture, and the Buffalo Turkey Trot remains the longest consistently held Turkey Trot in the world.
From Local Race to National Craze
For decades, the Turkey Trot remained a regional phenomenon. Other cities and YMCA chapters started hosting their own versions, but it wasn’t until the running boom of the 1960s and 70s that the event truly exploded across the nation.
Why Thanksgiving? It’s simple. It’s a national holiday, meaning most people have the day off. It’s also a day focused on family, friends, and food. The Turkey Trot became a perfect communal activity: a way to get out of the house, get some fresh air, and socialize with neighbors before the serious business of cooking and eating begins.
It transformed from a niche sporting event into a community gathering. It’s less about setting a personal best time and more about seeing someone dressed in a ridiculous turkey costume crossing the finish line with their whole family.
Turkey Trots and the Spirit of Redmond
Now, let’s talk about why this matters to you, the prospective Redmond resident.
Redmond is known globally as the home of major tech companies, a place where people are driven and accomplished. But what often gets overlooked is its vibrant, active community life. The people here work hard, but they play hard too. They value getting outside, whether that’s hitting the trails around Marymoor Park or participating in a local road race.
The local Turkey Trot is the ultimate expression of this balance. It’s a chance for coders, engineers, entrepreneurs, and families to step away from their screens and do something simple and active together. It’s an easy, low-pressure way to feel instantly connected to your new hometown. Your new neighbors will surround you, all united by a mild case of pre-meal jitters and the promise of pumpkin pie.
When you move here, the local Turkey Trot won’t just be an event on your calendar; it’ll be a welcoming initiation. It’s proof that Redmond isn’t just a place to build a career; it’s a place to make a life, one where tradition, health, and community converge just before the biggest meal of the year.
Embrace the Tradition: Your Redmond Life Starts Here
Moving to Redmond, Washington, means embracing a life that is both high-tech and grounded in community. The Turkey Trot is the perfect microcosm of this. It’s a fun, quirky tradition that has stood the test of time, bringing people together for a common, simple goal: a good run, a good cause, and a great meal afterward. Will you join the ranks of runners this year?
Source: usatoday.com
Header Image Source: fabulouswashington.com
