This Thanksgiving, the Life Time Fitness Turkey Day 5k in Minneapolis drew about 16,500 participants. This morning, we’re interviewing KJ Greenwood, the head of publicity and promotions for Life Time Athletic Events, about the popular “Turkey Trot.”
Q: For how many years has Life Time Fitness hosted a “Turkey Day” 5k?
A: The Turkey Day 5k has been taking place in Minneapolis since 1989. In the past three years, we have expanded the brand into additional markets including Boise, Chicago, Phoenix and, most recently, San Francisco.
Q: Where did the idea to hold the Thanksgiving 5K originate?
A: Hosting the Turkey Day 5k on Thanksgiving began as a fun way for the entire family to start the holiday off being active together. Running or walking, young or old, Turkey Day 5k gets everyone out of the house and moving before it’s time to sit down and feast on all the fixings.
Q: This year’s race in Minneapolis drew 16,500 participants — what do you think makes the race so popular?
A: I believe a variety of factors play into the popularity of this event, and it is evident by the more than 30,000 folks that participated in our five Turkey Day 5k events across the country in Boise, Chicago, Phoenix, Minneapolis, and San Francisco. The main reason being it is a fun, family-friendly activity for all that gets one out with their loved ones and friends prior to a day normally reserved for sedentary feasting. It starts as a onetime event for most and becomes their regular Thanksgiving tradition. It also is one of the last 5ks of the season. When the weather is favorable, what a better way to cap off your race season and say goodbye to fall than running with thousands of your closest friends.
In addition to being a fun event for the whole family, Turkey Day 5k also provides an outlet for those to give back. For more than 20 years, the event has been filling the pantries of local food shelves by asking participants to bring as many non-perishable food items as they can carry to our pre-race collection sites.
Q: Do you think the race will continue to grow in popularity?
A: Definitely. For all of the factors previously mentioned. Word of mouth also will be a huge factor in continued growth for Turkey Day 5k, both in our Minneapolis market and in the other cities. When you hear about the fun being had by your friends and family, you want to become a part of that. That’s always been the spirit behind our Turkey Day brand — we’ll treat you well, come have a good time, tell your friends and they can join you.
Q: How does Life Time Fitness promote the race? (Social media, radio, etc.?)
A: Life Time Athletic Events promotes the Turkey Day 5k through a variety of channels including e-mail blasts to previous participants, local run store marketing, flyers at other running events, word of mouth, PR and media outreach, in-club promotions and social media.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
What a lie – This event was started by my club Northwest Racquet club back in 90s. Life Time acquired the clubs and thus the event. Life Time had NOTHING to do with creating this event. Typically of that company.