The Capital One BankDallasYMCATurkey Trot is an annual footrace over an course through the city of Dallas, Texas. There is also a 5k run/walk. Participants may choose to register for the 5k as a timed or untimed runner. In 2005, 3,843 harriers completed the Trot, in addition to 22,668 runners in the, making the Dallas Turkey Trot the largest Thanksgiving race in the United States and the second-biggest footrace in the state of Texas, with 26,511 total registered runners. The 2011 race attracted a record attendance of 36,820. The race is produced by the YMCA and has been run every year since 1968. 2008's title sponsor is Capital One Bank. The Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot is held on Thanksgiving Day and attracts elite competitors and amateurs from all 50 states in America and 10 countries. The race includes both runners and wheelchair racers.
History
The original Turkey Trot began in the 1940s and was run at Fair Park in Dallas. The began running annually in 1968, with 107 runners being instructed to start from the Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake and run along the lake "to the big oaktree and back." However, the course was actually. Ralph Trimble won the event in a time of 41:59, and Nancy Norvell was the winner on the women's side in 54:40. The race quickly rose in popularity, and in 1979, The Trot was moved to the downtown area, near Dallas City Hall. The Fun Run was added in 1984 in order to accommodate the increased participation of children and families.
The course
The race begins next to City Hall and heads east into Deep Ellum. After two left turns, the course then heads west back into downtown down Elm Street. At Griffin Street, the 5k participants turn left and finish the race back at City Hall. Still on Elm Street, the eight mile runners pass by the Bank of America Plaza. Elm turns into Houston Street, passing Dealey Plaza. The course then winds around site of the former Reunion Arena and onto the Houston Street Viaduct for almost two miles, passing over the Trinity River. After a turn around on Zang Boulevard in Oak Cliff, the race moves on the Jefferson St. Viaduct, "The Mile Long Bridge" parallel to the Houston Strett Viaduct. On Jefferson, runners can see the beautiful Dallas skyline as they reenter Downtown. A quick turn east on Young Street then a slant onto Marrilla terminates the race right next to City Hall.
2006
Australian Shawn Forrest, a member of the University of Arkansas cross country team, was the overall winner in a time of 39:10, being the first runner to break 40 minutes since 2000, and the fastest time since 1998. Melisa Christian of Dallas won the woman's event in 45:59. Christian followed up her runner-up finish of 2005's Trot, which was run in 48:11.
2009
The overall winner in 2009 was Justin Meaders in a wheelchair, with a winning time of 38:46. The men's running winner was Scott MacPherson, just behind with a time 38:47. The fastest woman was Melisa Christian with a time of 46:29.
