Thnksgiving. The largest running day of the year. With so many Turkey Trots to choose from, it can be tough to make a decision. In fact, in Milwaukee there are 3 Turkey Trots within the city all on Thanksgiving morning.

For this race, there is a 5k and an 8k. Both started at 8 am, and there was an additional 5k at 10:30 to accommodate the large numbers the race had in 2016.

This, the Milwaukee Turkey Trot, is run by All Community Events, which runs A TON of races around the Midwest, and I believe around the country. 2017 was the third running of the Milwaukee Turkey Trot, and the third year I've run it as well. So let's get to it.

Packet pickup is awesome. And yes, I'm partially biased here, since I'm on the race team for the store. But advance packet pickup is done as the Shorewood location of Performance Running Outfitters, which is one of the (best) running stores in SE Wisconsin. If you know your number, and it's sent to you in an email, it only takes a couple minutes to grab your bib, shirt, and go.

And speaking of the shirt. This year, we got a hoodie (again), which seems to be a growing trend with a lot of races. It's not the best hoodie, but it's soft and I've used my 2015 version on races or runs that I know will be muddy or sloppy. It's warm, and I don't love it.

The race is down at Veteran's Park, which is right next to Lake Michigan. Parking is available on the street (you'll walk further) or in the parking lot of the park. So that's kind of your choice.

This year, the course was different and the start line was moved. Now it was closer to the parking lot (hooray!). There isn't a bag drop here, but you can leave things in the car. Otherwise, I've stashed my sweats in a plastic bag and set them by a tree, they've been fine. And really, who wants to steal nasty $5 runner sweats?

The race started on grass this year, which I thought was odd, and the starting chute is probably only four wide at the start. I would think for a Turkey Trot, there would be more room. The grass is only about 20m though, and then you're back on sweet, sweet pavement.

We did one quick loop around the main driveway of the park, then came back along a parallel sidewalk to the starting line. From there, you follow the sidewalk along the Lagoon and alongside the road. So if you parked in street parking, here is your opportunity to bail on the race, get in your car, and leave.

If you choose to keep going, you'll head up the only incline/hill of the race to the entrance of the Veteran's Center, you swing a left over the bridge and hit mile two. From there, it's a relaxing downhill mile 3 along the Hank Aaron Trail. This is the part of the race where, no matter your speed, you'll pass those who booked the first two miles and are dead, and those who are kicking to the finish.

Right before mile 3, you head over another ped bridge to cross the road, then it's the home stretch!

Unless you're like me and run the 8k.

The 5k runners take a right and finish that last .1 into the finish. The 8k runners continue straight for an out and back. The out and back keeps you on that same sidewalk you were on earlier, but you're headed north to Bradford Beach. And when I say to Bradford Beach, I mean you literally turnaround right when you get to the beach.

The last mile, on your way back, sucks. Not only because you're dying (if you're like me and pace the 8k and a long 5k) but because the sidewalk gets congested with those who are running the out portion of the out and back.

When you're done, a bottle of water awaits you along with a delicious sticky bun. The bun is cold, and there are no forks. But you can take it home and microwave it to enjoy all of it's deliciousness.

I do really like this race. It's great for the serious and non serious runners alike.

My only gripe is that the 8k results almost always end up a little screwy because some runners in the 8k will quick at the 5k, but still count toward the 8k results. But that's minor. Plus, it's a Thanksgiving run, and nothing you should be taking all that serious!!