Thanksgiving morning in most towns is a sleepy affair, with alarm clocks unplugged and extra rest cherished before family gatherings. In Piedmont, things are different. About 3,000 runners and spectators filled Highland Avenue in matching red shirts and running shorts at 8 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, ready for a run through town with extended family and friends.
Piedmont’s 24th annual 5K was won for the third straight year by hometown roadrunner Jack Stein, who set a new course record of 15:24, running at a blistering sub-five-minute pace.
“I get really fired up before this race,” said Stein. “Seeing friends and families I grew up with. That’s what makes this event so special to me.”
Past the finish line, Stein chatted easily with his mother, Julie, looking as if he could run another lap.
“I am tired, it was hard. The field is faster than it has ever been, second and third place times would have won it in past years,” he said with a smile.
In 2022, at age 18, Stein finished 12th in 17:19. He has stood on the top of the podium every year since, with wins in 2023 (15:30) and 2024 (15:40).
Stein runs for Pomona-Pitzer in Claremont. His team won the NCAA Division III men’s cross country national championship in 2023 and placed third in 2024. He led the Sagehens this fall with an 11th-place individual finish at the national championship.
Finishing second in 15:39 was Michael Danielczuk of Albany, only nine seconds slower than Stein’s previous course record. In third was recent Piedmont alumnus Xander Schulte-Sasse in 16:08, running a 5:12 pace.
Registration sold out on Tuesday night at 2,400 runners; 2,066 finished the full course. Bib pickup at Veterans Hall the day before drew a steady crowd, along with donations of books and pantry items.
“It was a pretty cool setup,” said Turkey Trot organizer Sydney Proctor. “It was a one-stop giveback area, especially for Thanksgiving. We are all giving thanks that we are happy and healthy and able to share our good fortune.”
Proctor has led the Turkey Trot since 2021, served on the board since 2015 and volunteered since 2011.
Proceeds from the race fully fund the Piedmont cross country and track and field teams. This year the Trot also donated to Piedmont Scouts, increased its support for PCSC, and continued its annual grants to the middle school running team, Run Better Oakland and Piedmont’s junior running program.
Forty percent of participants were from out of town, yet the large number of local runners speaks to the event’s community appeal.
“You look up and everyone is smiling, the music is playing, the hot chocolate is flowing,” said Proctor. “It was great, it was a beautiful morning, everyone was in great spirits, we did not hear any complaints.”
Proctor noted that the event draws visitors for many reasons: the scenery, the cheerful atmosphere and the challenge of the course, which is at least 60 percent uphill.
“It says a lot about people that they come out in extended families, pick up 10 shirts at a time, for 18 people sometimes,” said Proctor. “We are one of the few trots that allow strollers and allow dogs. We have something for everyone, the upfront corral for the fast turkeys, and it is also tailored to walkers.”
Two days before the race, signs reading “Run for Them!” appeared along the course in memory of Soren Dixon, Jack Nelson and Krysta Tsukahara, the three Piedmont teens killed in a car crash the day before Thanksgiving in 2024.
A total of 125 volunteers helped make the event a success, including Scouts, Piedmont Community Service Crew, the Mountain Bike Team and members of the Piedmont Police Department.
In its 24th year, the Turkey Trot once again set the tone for a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday. Runners got their blood pumping early and warmed up their smiles before turning their attention to dinner, family and giving thanks.
