On November 25, Gilpin County Parks and Recreation proudly hosted their inaugural Turkey Trot event. The Turkey Trot is a 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) race that takes place on or around Thanksgiving Day. This highly anticipated event had been a long-time aspiration of Special Event Coordinator Krystal Myers ever since she joined Gilpin County Parks and Recreation in 2021.

Despite the usual wintry conditions in Gilpin County during this time of year, the Turkey Trot was a resounding success, attracting an impressive turnout of 60 registered participants. At 10 a.m., these enthusiastic individuals gathered at the exhibition barn, adorned in their most festive attire, eagerly awaiting the start of the race. Participants were encouraged to showcase their holiday spirit through creative outfits.

The event featured three distinct categories in which participants could compete for prizes: best dressed, fastest time, and slowest time. Prizes were awarded according to age, with children aged 10 and under eligible to win an exciting treasure chest, while older participants had the option to choose between a Gilpin County Parks and Recreation pass, cold weather gear, or a gift card to a local establishment of their choice.

Although there was a $20 registration fee for the event, none of the proceeds were retained as profit. All the money earned from registrations was reinvested back into the event itself. Myers expressed her desire to make events like the Turkey Trot completely free if it were feasible. Unfortunately, due to the expenses incurred for T-shirts and prizes, this is not currently possible.

The Turkey Trot brought the community together for a day of fun, fitness, and holiday spirit. It provided an opportunity for participants to embrace the joy of Thanksgiving while supporting the dreams of employees of the Parks and Recreation department. The success of the event has paved the way for future Turkey Trots and other exciting community activities organized by Gilpin County Parks and Recreation.