There are plenty of races throughout the year, but something about Thanksgiving morning hits different. Maybe it’s the energy, the community, or the feeling that you’re starting the day with purpose. For me, it’s also tied to a memory of my mom and a moment that has stayed with me all these years later. That’s one of the reasons this year’s Emmitsburg Turkey Trot sponsorship means so much.

Thanksgiving has always been a day about gratitude, family, and good food. For runners, it’s also the biggest running day of the year. Close to a million people will step onto a starting line this Thanksgiving morning, making Turkey Trots the single most participated in running events in the country.

I’m right there with them. Every Thanksgiving I’m out in Peoria, Arizona running a ten miler. It’s become a staple in my routine and one of those yearly markers that reminds me how much running has shaped my life and even the products we create.

My connection to the Emmitsburg Turkey Trot goes back more than a decade. When I first got involved with one of their races from Arizona, my mom helped make it happen on my behalf. She lived in Maryland and stepped in locally to support what I was doing. At the time, it just felt like something she would naturally do, but looking back, I’m even more grateful for it. A couple of Thanksgivings later, we lost her during that same time of year. So the season always carries a bittersweet edge. I remember being there by her side that final time, thankful for the years we had. Supporting this race now gives me a way to honor those memories and keep the best of them close.

It also feels right that I’m continuing this tradition with my sister. She lives in Emmitsburg and owns Mason Dixon Mixin, so teaming up to support the Turkey Trot brings everything full circle. Family, community, running, and gratitude all woven together.

Turkey Trots have a history much deeper than most people realize. The very first was the YMCA Turkey Trot 8K held in November 1896 in Buffalo, New York. Only six runners lined up for that inaugural race. It stretched five miles across dirt roads in downtown Buffalo. It didn’t move to pavement until the mid 1900s, and women didn’t compete until 1972. What began with six runners now draws more than ten thousand people to that same race. In 2015, the Buffalo YMCA Turkey Trot had 12,834 finishers. People travel from across the country and even overseas to be part of its legacy.

That’s what makes events like the Emmitsburg Turkey Trot so meaningful. Running isn’t just about medals or finish lines. It’s about effort, consistency, community, and the memories tied to each race. When we design our displays, whether for medals, coins, or keychains, we think about the stories behind them. They’re not just products to us. They’re reminders of moments people want to hold on to.

If you’re racing this Thanksgiving, I hope you have a strong run and an even better day with the people you love. And if you’re part of a local race, charity, or running group looking for support, feel free to reach out. We enjoy partnering with communities who take pride in what they do.

Happy Thanksgiving, and good luck to everyone on the starting line. Let’s make it a good one.