NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Athletic Club Turkey Day run kicked off early on Thursday. Hundreds of turkey trotters packed City Park, making room for extra turkey.
Runners said the 5k is more than just a race, it's a family tradition. Since the 70s, John Roche has kicked off the holiday season with a trot.
"It’s been a tradition for us for years and years. I’ve run it 53 myself," said Roche. And over the decades, he's added quite a few little turkeys to his flock.
"This year I ran it so I’m really proud of myself," said Roche's granddaughter Caroline.
Roche said, "The fact is these kids are faster than me, it's a struggle." This Thanksgiving, he and his wife ran the New Orleans Athletic Club Turkey Day Race with a crew of 25.
"It’s enjoyable just to have this immediate family together here," he said. Meanwhile, other families are starting a new tradition.
"We as a family just completed our second annual turkey day run," said Fox Rich. The Rich Family already takes the race seriously.
"I was the chair of our family participation and I left them behind and shaved 13 minutes off my personal record," said Rich's son.
So whether you're running to win, running with a friend, or just running to make room for lunch — food drinks, friends, and family will be waiting on the other side of the finish line.
The New Orleans Athletic Club Turkey Day Race is a fundraiser for Spina Bifida of Louisiana.
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