Michael Bratton II Turkey Trot

Five stars because of the wonderful work that this group does. The MEB2 Foundation supports local youth activities, A New Day (counselling for suicide, addictions, etc.), and suicide and depression awareness and prevention. The Turkey Trot is MEB2’s main fundraiser for the year.
In 2014, over 2,500 people showed up bright and early on Thanksgiving morning to run or walk a 5k or 10k. I did the 5k run with a friend and her husband. After registering, you’re free to socialize while you indulge in doughnuts, bagels, fruit, coffee, and juice. Next is the kids’ race, which is fun to watch. Then everyone lines up on the tracks to prepare for the race. Serious runners up front, then joggers, trotters, and finally the walkers. We were somewhere in the middle and your time starts when you cross the line, not when they start the clock.
After an introduction and a big thank you, we are off! You head along the side of the track, up the trail around and past Sierra College, across the road and up a hill (to where a water station is setup), then back down and through another part of the trail and finally back to the track. Volunteers are at the mile markers to let you know how far you’ve gone as well as other parts of the trail to encourage you. There are a few spots that are bottlenecks, where everyone kind of has to come to a stop while we all filter through, so that will definitely slow you down.
Every runner gets a high five as you cross the finish line — MEB2 is completely appreciative of the time you gave them that morning. While you wait for results to be posted, there is plenty of water and Gatorade, plus pastry leftovers from earlier.
Results and pictures are posted within a couple of days on Facebook and their website. I was just glad that I finished and didn’t come in last! I look forward to doing it again next year!