Parents and children happily walk alongside one another discussing their evening plans, friends jog together as they prepare for upcoming festivities, and serious runners attempt to build up an appitite on a cool November morning.

The 12th annual Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving morning, just as it has each year, with all of the pre and post race activities occuring in the covered plaza and campus quad area.

The start and finish locations of the race will be in front of PHS near the Piedmont Park in order to avoid overcrowding.

Track and Field coach Chris Smith said, “If enough revenue is collected, proceeds are used to help purchase expensive track equipment and pay travel expenses for cross country and track teams.”

Cross country and Track and Field athletes are asked to volunteer at the Turkey Trot, and there are also many parent and student volunteers that help to prepare the race.

“Many of [the volunteers] have been very loyal to the Trot for several years,” Smith said.

Senior and cross country athlete Cole Becker said, “It’s a great experience. I personally enjoy getting to wake up before everyone in my family on Thanksgiving Day to go to work.”

Becker said that it is the cross country team’s main source of funding for Piedmont athletics, which has many hidden costs.

“The main goal is to promote health to the greater community of Piedmont while also supporting Piedmont sports, and having a great time,” Becker said.

Sophomore and cross country athlete Sophia Mills said there is a lot of preparation going into the event.

“Most of [the planning] is done by the adults in charge, but students from Cross Country don’t help until closer to the start of the event,” Mills said.

Becker said that publicity and reserving city streets are also important factors in planning.

Each year, whole families can be seen participating, including some with three generations of runners.

Senior Maya Thomas said, “I love the Turkey Trot because I get to spend time with my family while also getting exercise before a big Thanksgiving meal.”

Smith said that his favorite part about the trot aside from the fund raising is the community aspect of it.

“It has become a Piedmont tradition that grows every year,” said Smith. “It is also unique in that unlike most other public fun runs or races, we allow people with strollers and dogs to run or walk, making it a true family and community event.”