2nd Annual Turkey Trot: A Great Time Had by All

VERSAILLES, Ky The second annual Turkey Trot enjoyed sunny skies and 48 degrees this November 19, 2011. 26 participants trotted, jogged, walked, timed, cheered, or scampered through the mile course for 3.1 miles, or 5 kilometers.

This year’s Turkey Trot was all about redemption for Michael Dobie of Wilmore. One year ago, the Wisconsin native ate a ½ pound package of service-station gummy worms five minutes prior to the race. He then went out and ran the Turkey Trot.

Michael “Dooby” thought that the gummy worms should be considered pre-trot energy. Minutes into the trot, he revised his thoughts.

The worms as Dooby says, “felt like they were alive.”

The second annual Turkey Trot provided a second chance for pre-race energy consumption. “It was so much better than last year.”

However, it was not without temptation for Dooby. “I passed at least three gas stations where I know they sell gummy worms on the drive to the trot.” Michael gives credit to his wife, Abby, for keeping him on the straight and narrow road to the Turkey Trot and avoiding derailing stops.

Dooby trained with wife for the past five months and he did not cheat this year. “Been there, done that,” he said with honor.

Author’s note: Cheating is an on-going concern for the Turkey Trot race control officials due to a lack of tall fences and gates blocking connecting roads and yards. However, Turkey Trotter Aidan did mention that next year’s course should have fences to keep his brother and fellow Turkey Trotter Micah from taking alternative routes.

Abby had this to say, “I was glad to help keep my (husband) with his pre-race diet with low sugars as well as carbing up the night before.”

One issue that awoke everyone in the face was the wind that blew down the backstretch. Jordan Adler of Wilmore had this to say about the wind, “it (had to) be 35 miles per hour coming around turn 2.”

The West Virginia native described the weather phenomenon that can’t be seen but only felt as, “a brick wall, just blowing right at you.”

Jim T. declined comment about the wind.