On Saturday, Nov. 18, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse hosted the 28th Annual UWL 5k Turkey Trot Fun Run & Walk.
The 5k race began at the Student Union and progressed along Badger Street. The route then turned onto West Avenue which transitioned into Lang Drive. Runners navigated the Marsh Trail before heading back to campus via East Avenue. The race concluded outside of the Recreational Eagle Center (REC).
Apart from the 5k race, the REC hosted various activities offering participants chances to win prizes, including costume contests, coloring contests and raffles. Younger children were invited to partake in the Junior Gobbler Half Mile Race held on the REC’s indoor track.
At the finish line, participants were greeted by the crowd, including Stryker the Eagle, Flash the turkey and the Subway mascot, all awaiting the completion of the race. Family and friends were also there to offer support and celebrate the participants’ achievements.
Refreshments and snacks such as granola bars, bananas, bagels and water were offered after the race in the REC.
The top finisher of the 5k race was Chris Pahnke, a 24-year-old La Crosse native and former UWL student finishing in first place with a time of 15:52. He was followed by Jacob Bryhn, a 26-year-old runner with a time of 16:44. The full event results can be found here.
14-year-old athlete Ryan Littlefield, representing Hope Lutheran High School, secured the third spot with a time of 16:56. Littlefield, who had been training since wrapping up his cross-country season with Cotter High School said that he felt good about his time.
Michael Borst secured the sixth spot with a time of 17:15. However, in what he termed the ‘unofficial stroller division,’ he claimed the top position while accompanied by his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Emmy Borst. A 30-year-old resident of La Crosse and a UWL alum, Borst has participated in the Turkey Trot for three consecutive years. Reflecting on his experience, Borst said, “The last three years, we have won our unofficial stroller division, and last year it was kind of hard due to all the snow on the ground.”
The Racquet Press interviewed UWL students giving a diverse range of experiences.
Chase Voelker, a third-year student running the Turkey Trot for the first time said, “I haven’t run in a while, but I was proud of my performance. It was good to get up and active on a Saturday morning… I thought it would be a good idea to sign up, something fun to do.”
Charlie Hardy, a third-year student said, “I had a rough night last night, but it was a great way to start the Saturday and kick the hangover… I have been running on and off, but I have not been training for this. We just signed up last night.”
Bryn Sato, a second-year student and member of the UWL Cross Country and Track and Field Team said, “I thought it would be fun to run with them [Hardy and Voelker]. I run every day so this is light work for me.”
The Turkey Trot has been a UWL tradition for the last 28 years where friends and families come together to exercise and get into the Thanksgiving spirit. More information on the Turkey Trot can be found here.
