People are looking forward to a little friendly competition this Thanksgiving. Whether it’s watching football or playing outside with the family, Thanksgiving is all about bonding traditions.
Jacob Garrison, a football fan, said that he watches the Cowboys game every year with his kids.
“It’s been a long time since they’ve won,” said Garrison, “but we watch it every year. Die hard Cowboys fan.”
Rylan Fowers and his sister Brooklyn keep up the tradition of a family paintball game on Thanksgiving.
“We go to the pump house out at the farm and play paintball in the woods,” Fowers explained. The siblings agreed that their family bonds by “taking each other down.”
As a state-wide tradition, the Utah Food Bank hosts the “Utah Human Race” every year on Thanksgiving. This race is one of the biggest 5K’s in Utah with over 5,000 annual participants. The proceeds go directly to the Utah Food Bank to feed those in need.
One of these dedicated runners is Geraline Cloward, who has participated in the “Utah Human Race” since 2005. After her first race, Cloward said she was hooked.
“It’s so fun to go on this type of race because you will see a lot of people wearing Thanksgiving themed costumes,” said Cloward, “I don’t dress up, I just want to dress warm because it’s cold.”
While “The Human Race” is one of Utah’s biggest 5K’s, it’s certainly not the only Turkey Trot in the state. Phil Clark has just started the tradition of competing in the Turkey Triathlon, a race that takes place in Orem. When talking about the race, Clark emphasized the importance of keeping traditions.
“I think the thing with tradition that makes it so great is that it not only grounds you in a place and a time and a behavior, but it also connects you with others in a shared experience,” Clark said, “So everybody that runs that race on Thanksgiving has that common, shared experience. So they’re connected.”
No matter what your tradition, enjoy this Thanksgiving season.
