Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Just read the 2007 review of the Turkey Trot and thought that there needed to be an update on the event! I have run/​walked the Turkey Trot since its inception and this past Thanksgiving Day (2013) was terrific! Check in was easy because you could pre-​check in by picking up your number at a local sports shop. The event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for local food, housing, and health agencies. Thumbs up to SVLG for continuing its leadership in running the event.

Please keep in mind, this is a review based on only one of SVLG’s programs, the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot.
I just ran the Turkey Trot this morning. I signed up last year but was unable to attend. I came this year with my company and came for the 9am start at 8:30am. The directions to the parking were a little off. Parking was at HP Pavilion, and they had us take a left at Autumn and follow the signs. Only, there were no signs, and within a few feet I was caught in a quagmire of joggers. I double-​checked later and I follow the directions I was given to a tee.
The place was chaos. Apparently they were estimating 3000 – 4000 participants but got nearly 7000. The thing is, people have to register and pay, so how they could be surprised by how many people would come was a bit shocking. I understand there are families and things too, but nevertheless it was difficult to find my group, where to get the timing chip, where to get water, or anything else. Most of the volunteers were local HS kids (God bless them) but most had no idea where anything was.
When asked if I wanted my shirt now or after the race, I chose after the race since I didn’t want to be laden with it while running 10K.
The scheduled start was a 9:00am. The starting area was insane and overcrowded, not unlike the Vegas strip on New Year’s Eve or a Pearl Jam concert on the Polo Grounds. At least in the biting 45 °F morning chill, it was pretty darn warm.
We didn’t start until almost 9:20am. I can only imagine all the irritated people who warmed up at 8:55am now cold after 20+ minutes of inactivity. It was like a moving obstacle course the first mile, dodging people of all sizes and speeds. Overall the course markers were good, so no complaints there.
I got the the end in just over an hour (this includes a bathroom break, so not bad!). It was impossible to find which tents were for what, and after finally getting water, a banana, and a goodie bag (complete misnomer, there is nothing goodie about seagate bandaids, random coupons, and a booklet for SF 49ers merchandise), I headed out to get my shirt.
After waiting in yet another mass of people to get across the street, I found that all the shirts were gone. They were out. They had given them all away. Ummm, doesn’t the entrance fee that I (or my company rather) pay guarantee me a shirt? Everyone was supposed to be a paying participant and had to have a bib, so how are you completely out of shirts? This was a particularly nice shirt, so I was actually planning on wearing it. That was just the icing on the crap cake, and I simply left the grounds. The endorphins from the run were wearing off and being replaced by feelings of wtf.
I really like the idea of the Turkey Trot, but this HAS to be planned better. I’m sure the more experienced runners were even more frustrated by the confusion, and the lack of pathways made it really hard for people with strollers to get around. Make this more family-​friendly since this is what you were supposed to be supporting. For the participants, please make sure things are logistically in order and that every participant gets what they paid and ran for.
I know this is only the Turkey Trot’s third year in existence, but without proper planning, it may not last to its fifth.