The Baldwinsville Turkey Trot is one of the oldest and largest races in the region. It comes in two flavors: 5K and 10K, with both courses starting at CW Baker High School and weaving through town streets. I opted for the 5K.
Race day way cold, windy, and wet, and I opted for my waterproof 880s over lighter shoes. I’d rather lose a few seconds than risk wet feet and blisters, particularly with another 5K on tap two days later.
The high school parking lot was blocked off by the time I arrived in Baldwinsville. This was a minor annoyance as I couldn’t easily go back to the car for additional water, but it would ultimately play to my favor after the race.
Over two thousand preregistered for the races, and while the weather might have thinned the field slightly, over 1,500 lined up at the start of the 5K. As the course consisted of closed village streets, I hoped that we’d have enough room to avoid chaos at the start, and I positioned myself toward the front of the field.
Had this been a bicycle race, there would have been a massive crash in the opening meters of the event. It was a scrum with runners pushing past me, kids slowing to a crawl, and a whole lot of us frantically trying to build momentum without adding to potential carnage.
The jostling eased when we turned onto West Oneida Street, allowing the field spread out. A short, moderately steep grade spread runner out further, and the race became far more enjoyable, even amusing—at least amusing as race on a cold, windy, rainy day can be.
A second hill on Artillery Lane brought us into the heart of a residential neighborhood, where clusters of residents cheered for us, the heavenly scent of turkey filled the air from various grills and flyers set up near pop up tents scattered around the course. A few offered drinks of unknot provenance to racers, and the race took on a festive atmosphere.
The rain turned to snow. We heard Christmas carols. My rain jacket gave me a warm feeling. I started to overheat a little.
A few others were probably warmed by whatever they were serving at the unsanctioned aid stations.
I lifted my pace to 8 minutes in the third mile and held it through the finish, where I collected my medal and headed off, as we were driving to Honeoye to spend the holiday with my family that afternoon.
Unbeknownst to me, a number of early arrivers couldn’t leave the high school lots until the race finished. As annoying as it was to have to walk to and from the car, it worked to my advantage in the end.
In my rush, I didn’t pay that much attention to my time: 26:27, a new personal record in spite of the chaos at the start.
Location: CW Baker High School, Baldwinsville, NY
Cost: $30
Swag: Shirt, medal, post race food
Events: 5K
Field: 1532
Result: 238/1532@26:27; 8:29; 17/122
Shoe: New Balance 880v9GTX
