From NYC to Southwood, runners return for the annual Tallahassee Turkey Trot. return

The streets of New York’s five boroughs all the way to Esplanade Way in Southwood couldn’t be any different.

But the streets are also very similar.

After a year of virtual racing – from marathons to milestones – runners will once again fill empty streets in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tyler Treese, who took part in the 50th New York City Marathon earlier this month, is among over 4,000 registered entrants for the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Morning Thursday in Tallahassee.

“I love the trot,” said Treese, who last ran the race in 2018.

The Turkey Trot consists of four races – 1 mile, 5 km (3.1 miles), 10 km (6.2 miles) and 15 km (9.3 miles). They all start on Esplanade Way between Merchants Row and Shumard Oak. The mile run starts at 8 a.m. the other three races at 8:30 a.m.

For Treese, 28, the turkey routine will be a change – in the truest sense of the word.

He was among 30,000 runners to run through the five boroughs of New York City in the 50th New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 7th. Treese covered the 42.2 mile distance in 3:36:04, best of the seven Tallahassee runners.

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Treese described how the large crowds cheered, roared, and greeted the runners on the sunny 55-degree morning. The marathon started in Staten Island, worked its way through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and the Bronx, and ended in Central Park. His wife Laura came to offer support and encouragement.

Treese enjoyed the experience for several reasons:

The event is the second oldest of the marathon majors in the world. It was Treeese’s first marathon. And he helped raise money for cancer research.

“The first 20 miles was epic, amazing, and I loved every second,” said Treese, who works for the Florida Behavioral Health Association.

Treese, a 2018 Florida State graduate, laughed and explained that the distance run isn’t that epic and amazing.

Treese was physically and mentally disabled and was referring to the “wall” runners struggle with when they are tired and experiencing a loss of energy. Treese got this feeling in February when he and church friends walked 21.1 miles at JR Alford Greenway. Treese stumbled at mile 11 too, cramped at mile 12, but still ended up with a decent time.

“Your body tells you you’re tired and your mind tells you to stop,” said Treese, who played basketball and ran a lane in Ohio high school and admitted that he never liked running – but now enjoy it.

“I came across a similar wall (in New York) but I accepted it,” he said. “I had never run this far before. I knew I had to curb my expectations.

Treese stayed focused, took inspiration from the moment, and that’s it.

As does Caroline Hunter.

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The former Maclay athlete, 34, finished her third New York City marathon in 5:14:25.

“As always, the city did not disappoint,” said Hunter. “The city cheers for the entire 42.2 miles. The energy is so infectious. Growing up, team sport was everything. Even though running is an individual sport, it still takes a village to train and reach those miles.

“I am grateful that I can run and train for such an achievement.”

The return of the turkey routine on Thanksgiving morning for the 47th time can also be considered an achievement.

1,564 virtual participants took part in last year’s event. More than $ 18,000 was donated to help the race’s beneficiaries – Refuge House, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Big Bend, and The Kearney Center.

“We are very pleased with our participation in this year’s Turkey Trot,” said Co-Race Director Mary Jean Yon.

“When we started planning in August, the COVID numbers were at an all-time high and we really thought that would keep people away on Thanksgiving morning. To our delight, we are now approaching 4,000 participants and continuing to grow.

“We can’t help but believe that people missed the race last year and they seem very excited to be back.”

New York City Marathon

Tallahassee finisher

Tyler Treese: 3:36:04

Jason Knight: 4:29:57

Erin Meisenzahl-Peace: 4:48:06

Corn worth: 4:56:56

Caroline Hunter: 5:14:25

Dean Coukoulis: 6:31:15

Claire Duchemin: 6:38:00

– Compiled from the New York Road Runners website.

You can reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.

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