I was sitting in my OKC office the day before Thanksgiving last year (2008) when I received an email from a friend asking if I was going to run the Turkey Trot at Lake Hefner. I replied that I didn’t know for sure. I work with many other large events/races around the country. I rarely run in local events because I am usually somewhere else on any given weekend. However, I had a strange sensation about this particular race, not quite an epiphany, but a mild nudge to do something to help out in some way. One of my dearest friends, Gilbert Tuhabonye, told me during one of our runs together, “You need to listen to the voice in your heart.” This time I did, and after some quick research, I called Dorothy Herring, the race director, at Eagle Ridge Institute.
After I introduced myself (I am an executive with the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and have produced events of all shapes and sizes for 30 years), I told her I was not running the Turkey Trot and offered to help out in any way I could. She spoke about the event in ways only race/event directors can understand, trying to balance 500 things and deal with everything else race related AND still do her regular job at Eagle Ridge. We decided I would meet her early the next morning at Lake Hefner.
Thanksgiving morning I made the short commute over to the lake and went to the pavilion at Stars and Stripes Park. Dorothy was quite gracious and welcomed the offer to volunteer once again. She introduced me to John Mayfield, the Executive Director of Eagle Ridge, and we spent some time talking about the history of the Turkey Trot. Over 9 years ago they decided this would be a great way to serve the community and get the message out about the lives changed through the Eagle Ridge Institute. John spoke passionately about the phenomenal work that Eagle Ridge does with families, chemical and alcohol dependency, the elderly, and at-risk kids. I was completely unaware of the range and depth of services offered by Eagle Ridge Institute. I began to wonder, if I didn’t know what an amazing and caring group of people make up the Eagle Ridge Team, how many of the 1,000 runners assembled that morning didn’t know either? These people walk the talk. Every day they set out to change the world, one person at a time, through their love and compassion. This IS what Thanksgiving is all about. I remember a quote from an obscure author that Robert F. Kennedy used often, “Perhaps this is a world where children suffer – and perhaps there can be something done to lessen that suffering – but if you do not do this, then who will?”
That is a good question to ask ourselves, “Who will?” What am I doing to help others and make a difference in their lives?
So, I watched the runners appear, the lines form for registration and all the normal things that go on at a race. I did some morning announcements and welcomed everyone to the event. While I was standing at the start/finish line – the epiphany hit!! Most of the people in Oklahoma City don’t know this is going on! What if everyone knew? What if this became a tradition like Thanksgiving in Dallas, where 34,000 people gathered to run or walk together as a family. Or Detroit, my hometown where nearly 25,000 gather in the Michigan cold, run their turkey trot and then attend The Thanksgiving Day parade? Thousands more volunteer and cheer and make these events a family affair. You hear them say, “We do the Turkey Trot every Thanksgiving Morning – we run a little, we give a little and we laugh a lot. It is our family tradition”
So, that beautiful Thanksgiving morning, standing alone in my thoughts at the start/finish line, I said to myself, “This will be one small gift we can give to enrich so many every Thanksgiving Day.” I texted my partner and OKC Memorial Marathon founder Thomas Hill and said, “Happy Thanksgiving. You and I will be working every Thanksgiving Day from now on. We are going to take the Oklahoma City Turkey Trot to the next level.” The following week we met with the executive team at Eagle Ridge Institute and present a proposal to produce the event each year with the Eagle Ridge Institute as the beneficiary.
Their response was immediate and positive. So now the fun begins. In one short week I went from not running the OKC Turkey Trot, to being the executive race director. My partner and I have a habit of thinking big, and we are not afraid to ask for your help in making the Turkey Trot a lasting Oklahoma City tradition. The question for you, my fellow Oklahoman, is will you help us help them? We will be at the finish line of the Oklahoma City Turkey Trot every Thanksgiving doing everything we can to make this tradition happen and provide hope to those that need us most. That is our commitment to each of you and to Oklahoma City. The only thing we ask in return is that you help us in your own way. Join us by running or walking. Volunteer and help out. Make a donation. You’ll be glad you did – and we will take whatever you give and use it to change lives. Stop by and give a spare can of food that morning – we can feed someone who may not otherwise eat that day. Most of all, tell someone about the Oklahoma City Turkey Trot tradition. Set the example – grab a friend or family member who needs a little boost, do a little walking and/or running – make that positive step to healthier living. That can be your gift to you. A healthier you is the best you. I know. Running has saved my life many times and in many ways over the years.
Oklahoma City is a rising star. Each and every Thanksgiving Day from now on, let us shine the brightest light in the country and say we care. Let’s walk the talk. You can do it, and every Thanksgiving morning, whether just a handful or 30,000 of you come out to show you care – I’ll be there at the finish line to thank you and tell you how much you mean to the people who otherwise don’t have anyone to care about them or provide hope for them. As my new friend John Mayfield over at Eagle Ridge Institute says, “Give wings to hope and dreams.”
See you at The Trot in 2009! You will be there, won’t you?
Jeffrey Kidder
Executive Race Director
Oklahoma City Turkey Trot
www.okcturkeytrot.com
A partnership with Eagle Ridge Institute
