The Festival Foods Turkey Trot is known throughout Wisconsin for its fun racing atmosphere, festive competition, and the enticing slice of pie that awaits trotters at the finish line. Held on Thanksgiving, Nov. 27 in several different Wisconsin cities including Oshkosh, the race included multiple different difficulty levels based on age and ability.

West sophomore, Dominic Moore, enjoys the Turkey Trot for both the competition and community.

“I like doing the Turkey Trot because it is competitive for me and something fun I can do with family and friends,” he said.

Moore appreciates the different opportunities the race provides for various runners, walkers, and bikers.

“I am doing the five mile run,” he said. “I have not always been able to do the five mile, when I was younger I used to do the two mile run.”

For many, including Moore, the Turkey Trot provides a Thanksgiving tradition.

“This will be my sixth year running it. I usually do it with my mom, my sister, and my dad. Then afterwards I go and hang out with family, and I look forward to having some good food,” he said.

Stephanie Polak, a special education teacher and cross country coach at West, also enjoys the time she gets to spend with her family when she runs the Trot, along with seeing former students she had or coached in the past.

“What I love about the Turkey Trot is that it’s kind of a family tradition for us, and I get to see a lot of my former cross country runners—that’s what I really like about it,” Polak said. “I will be on the course and it’s just so neat to hear so many people say ‘Hey coach, it’s good to see you!’”

Polak also appreciates how easy going the Turkey Trot is, with a fun and relaxing environment.

“I just think it’s a very fun, positive atmosphere. It’s so laid back and everyone’s in a good mood and happy because it’s Thanksgiving. I just think it’s a great opportunity to get a beautiful run in, and get a pumpkin pie, and see a lot of people,” she said. “Plus, you get to do it with your family. It’s really neat, I love it.”

West sophomore Andrew Toonen particularly enjoys the dessert awaiting all participants at the finish line.

“If I had to convince someone to run the Turkey Trot I would definitely tell them that you get a free piece of pie at the end,” Toonen said.

Like so many others, Toonen participates in the Turkey Trot with his family.

“I’ve done the Turkey Trot for the past five years, and I run it with my brother,” he said.

Jason Ryf, an art teacher at West, likes that the Trot provides the ability to be active on Thanksgiving, as well as the opportunity to see so many familiar faces.

“It sets you up for the rest of the day, when you can go home and eat all the food that you want. You’ve already run your race,” he said. “I think it’s fun because some people take it pretty seriously, but for the most part, it’s just a good time to see colleagues, students, former students, athletes, all that stuff. A lot of people just do it as a family event and it’s overall a really fun way to start your Thanksgiving.”

Ryf has been participating in the Turkey Trot since it was first introduced to Oshkosh.

“I’ve been doing the Turkey Trot since the beginning, about 2008 or 2009. It’s been a pretty long time,” he said.

Overall, the Turkey Trot is enjoyed by a wide range of people who all agree that it’s a great way to get outdoors, meet up with friends, hang out with family, and get ready for Thanksgiving Day.

“It’s really good for your health to get out there and run,” Ryf said. “As well as being just a fun way to see other people and get some exercise in—you can meet up with people you haven’t seen for a while and you can meet up with your family. And, of course, you get a pumpkin pie afterwards.”

by Raegan Oesterreich

Published December 1, 2025

Oshkosh West Index Volume 122 Issue III

Runners trot away calories in healthy Thanksgiving tradition