by Wyatt Waskowiak, reporter
OMAHA – Even with the pandemic, the annual Omaha Turkey Trot is still taking place on Thanksgiving. The event, which brings in 2,500 to 3,000 participants yearly, is taking the necessary precautions to still remain as an active event.
In hopes to minimize the exposure, Peter Starykowicz, President and Owner of All Community Events, that hosts The Omaha Turkey Trot has taken the necessary protocols to ensure that the event can be held live and in person instead of a virtual race.
“We’ve had health departments who come out and been there on-site, while we’ve been doing the event, and they’ve been very happy with what they have seen,” said Starykowicz.
The event requires that all individuals wear masks when not actively running, and asks that each participant arrive 15 minutes prior to their start time to prevent a mass gathering at the start/finish line.
“What you’re going to see is individual start times every five or 10 seconds one runner will be going off, that way everyone will be spread out and have plenty of social distancing,” said Starykowicz.
Unlike previous years, The Turkey Trot this year will have sealed water bottles on the course as opposed to open water cups. The food that is typically provided at the finish line, will be prepackaged for participants to take home with them.
“We’ve had health departments who come out and been there on-site, while we’ve been doing the event, and they’ve been very happy with what they have seen,” Starykowicz said.
Following regulations and suggested guidelines, this year, The Turkey Trot is asking that any spectators show their support throughout the racecourse while social distancing. This would help eliminate celebratory gatherings at the finish line.
Local runner, Nicole Gollhofer, shares the importance of staying physically active as a supportive outlet through the times we are currently in.
“Running is a good stress reliever, so I’ve been still training, we (fiancé) were training all through the pandemic, back in March and through the Summer,” she said.
Gollhofer is looking forward to participating in races that are following guidelines and regulations, but that is still actively occurring in person.
