For some, Thanksgiving means sharing a room with four cousins who have come to visit, stashing apple ciders, or attempting to deep fry a turkey. For others, the holiday kicks off differently: voluntarily waking up at dawn to walk and run through the cold streets dressed like poultry. The Oakland Turkey Trot has become a beloved tradition over the years, bringing festivity and pre-feast cardio into the whirlwind of holiday chaos.
In 2017, the Oakland Turkey Trot launched with its mission to bring the spirit of community, fitness, and giving back to Oakland. Unlike many other big races, 100% of the proceeds are put directly back into the community. The event is a collaboration between many local organizations, such as the Oakland Public Education Fund and Alameda County Community Food Bank, transforming the event into a 5k that supports the food security, education, and local programs across the city.
This Thanksgiving, participants and spectators alike demonstrated exactly what has made the Oakland Turkey Trot such a meaningful and impactful tradition for years.
At dawn, Lake Merritt buzzed with energy. Participants of all ages stretched, jogged in place, and hyped themselves up while kids darted around in face paint, right into bouncy houses. When spectators cheered and took photos, the sense of Oakland pride was palpable.
“I think that running is a really good way to build community within people,” said student volunteer Sarah Zheng. “Actually, I probably would have rather ran instead of having to stand and wait for people.”
The cool morning air was filled with laughter, chatter, and occasional squawks from costume clad runners. The race ended as fast as it began, with participants trickling past the finish line, high-fiving each other, and collecting medals and snacks from student volunteers.
When asked to describe the event with one word, participants, spectators, and volunteers responded with “diverse,” “family oriented,” and “community”—words that perfectly capture the spirit of the Oakland Turkey Trot.