Some Family Fitness Before the Feast

Why a Turkey Trot? Flocks of turkeys can be seen throughout Marin, slowly walking as they feed in the grass. But who knew that when turkeys are spooked  they can run at speeds of 18 mph?

Apparently these eager runners who braved the misty morning to run the fields, streets and trails of College of Marin's gorgeous Indian Valley could probably keep up with a turkey at full speed.

Hundreds ran Thursday at the 11th annual Marin County Turkey Trot at the College of Marin's Indian Valley Campus. There were opportunities for people of all ages, and this definitely was a family affair.

I talked to several families with three generations participating in the Turkey Trot. Children can run in the Little Gobbler Dash or the Youth Gobbler Fun Run 1 miler.

Some children opted to run with their parents and grandparents in the Pilgrim 5K along the Indian Valley Fire Road and through the rolling hills of the Al & Gloria Schwindt Trail. The Indian 10K runners hit the pavement in and out along Ignacio Boulevard to Fairway Drive, which made for a very fast road race.

As the runners crossed the finish line to an ovation from family and friends, the clouds parted and the sun beamed through.

We are not runners but were inspired by what we saw and are thinking of joining the masses next year and creating a new family tradition.

Not only did the runners benefit from the physical activity prior to their big feast, but the community benefited. South Valley Endurance was the host of this event and a portion of the entry fees benefited two local community organizations — School Fuel, the nonprofit foundation that supports Novato's public schools and LIFT for Teens, which promotes physical activity for teens facing socioeconomic challenges.