Ten years ago the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot in downtown San Jose was an idea that seemed sort of, pardon the diminutive, cute. A cute name, a neat idea to give valley residents a nudge to get some exercise Thanksgiving Day to balance out the consumption of mass quantities of excellent (read: rich) food later that day.
And when did “cute” start sounding silly? Maybe even that first year, when there were close to 2,000 runners and walkers, almost double what was expected. But definitely by year seven, when more than 22,000 serious runners, ambitious walkers and whole families raised $612,000 for the Housing Trust, Second Harvest Food Bank and Healthier Kids Foundation Santa Clara County.
By year nine the Turkey Trot had raised $4.2 million for charity.
This 10th year, the goal is 30,000 participants clearing $1 million. Now “cute” only applies to some of the costumes. This is the largest timed Turkey Trot in the United States.
Sadly, Thanksgiving is shifting from its tradition of home and hearth into the commercial gateway to consumer bargains. How long will it take for Black Friday to be vanquished by Thanksshopping? So it’s great to have a fresh, local tradition encouraging health and charity. (Appropriately, the Health Trust is joining the list of recipients.)
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group Foundation founded and produces the event, and Applied Materials has hung in there as the main sponsor. Driving forces are SVLG’s Carl Guardino and his wife, Leslee, and Applied’s Mike Splinter — whose son, Army Lt. Josh Splinter, organized a remote Turkey Trot in Afghanistan when he was deployed there last year. (This year others can register to be remote runners, complete with shirts and numbers.)
But it takes countless people to plan the event and several thousand volunteers on race, excuse us, Trot day, including school bands and cheer groups.
Some 69 elite and sub-elite runners, men and women, have registered so far this year, and a couple will go to Burnett Middle School next week to inspire the kids.
If you’re a veteran Turkey Trotter, figure there are likely to be 5,000 more people downtown on Thanksgiving morning than last year. If you’re planning to try it for the first time or after a break of a few years, check out SVTurkeyTrot.com for ideas on the best ways to get downtown. Light rail or buses will save aggravation.
As the valley and particularly San Jose struggle to build an urban character — a there there — events like this that draw neighbors and international champions help to accomplish the goal in the best way possible, with people power. Runners know it’s a professionally well-run competition, and families have rearranged their holiday meals to make room for the fun early morning outing. It’s an event you feel part of, whether you’re going for a record time or pushing a baby stroller.
Speaking of “cute.”