Nearly 2,000 runners participated in a new Palisades Turkey Trot route that started on Swarthmore.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Co-Honorary Mayors Ted McGinley and Gigi Rice joined “starter” Turkey David Houston before the race.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
By HENRY KAMER
This past Thanksgiving Thursday, November 27, the 11th annual Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot returned. This time however, trotters found themselves starting and finishing at Village Green instead of Palisades High School, which is still being thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the return of students in the spring semester.
The morning kicked off with festivities at 7:30 a.m., with the original event creator, David O’Connell, noting how “perfect the Palisades is for a turkey trot.”
As more and more runners/walkers, ready to get their exercise in for the day, began to amass at the little triangular park located between Sunset Boulevard, Antioch Street and Swarthmore, emcee and Cal State LA graduate Damieon “Lucky” Smith took to the stage to get some energy going. He wasn’t alone though, as fitness trainer Caitlyn Moyer spread her energy to the crowd (and Smith) as she led some stretching. Moyer said, “the last thing you want on Thanksgiving is to be thanking your doctor after pulling a hamstring.”
O’Connell presented a $10,000 check to the Palisades Lowe YMCA Executive Director Jim Kirtley from race proceeds. Other charities that benefitted included the Friendship Circle, which supports families and their special needs children and The Live Like Braun Foundation, which celebrates the enduring spirit and legacy of Braun Levi, whose life tragically ended at the age of 18. Braun was part of the Palisades Turkey Trot — as a runner, a supporter or a volunteer — since the event’s inception in 2013.
Before the 5k/10k started at 8:15 a.m., Culver City classical crossover singer Orlando Antunez performed a beautiful national anthem, and some of the heroes from Station 69 delivered some words of thanks.
Former Honorary Mayor Ray Leonard was on the course.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
As Smith counted down the start of the race, the Palisades for the first time in almost 11 months was filled with people – runners, walkers, strollers, and dogs (which were allowed this year). The kids race kicked off as they ran down Swarthmore from Antioch to Bowdoin. Also running were the Pacific Palisades co-honorary Mayors Gigi Rice and Ted McGinley and former Mayor Sugar Ray Leonard.
Upwards of 1,800 trotters of all different speeds, sizes, and ages enjoyed the beautiful day and views of the ocean as the race brought them through the Via Bluffs with a final stretch down Via de la Paz before finishing back on Antioch.
Although this Turkey Trot was definitely different as trotters were running down crumbling streets with close to no houses on either side, that didn’t stop the PaliStrong spirit from running into town (pun intended).
“Getting the medals, the shirts, and the course ready was a lot, but everyone seemed to enjoy it,” O’Connell said.
Classic sponsors like Palisades Village, Equinox, and the Friendship Circle were there to support, and XBP Global was powering the event for the second year in a row. Trotters didn’t shy from bringing their all, as the top three finishers for the 5k were Henry Winn (16.05) Tom Phillips (16.33), and Andrew Sterne (17.28), and for the women it was Keaton Schaefer (18:55), Claudi Knox (19:09) and Chloe Knox (20:10).
Henry Winn (right) took first in the 5K.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
10K results seem to have a mix of 5/10K results, making it difficult to announce a winner. All results can be found click here.
COVID may have stolen two years from the Turkey Trot, but the fire didn’t stop the resilient trotters. Even though there was a different course and the Palisades hasn’t had the best year, the event was still a great success in getting people outside, together, and getting some exercise, which is always the perfect trio to experience before eating more Thanksgiving food than is thought to be humanly possible.
Turkeys Brooke Rowland and Brendon Cassidy trotted towards the finish line on Antioch. In the background are the remains of the Business Block Building.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN
Pilgrims chased the Turkeys . . . it was Thanksgiving.
Photo: RICH SCHMITT/CTN