I'm proud to day I've run this race since it first began in 2017! Oakland knows how to host a fun race, and 2018 brought several improvements.

If you live around here, you might be a little surprised this race is only in its second year - Lake Merritt makes for the perfect setting for a 5K loop in downtown Oakland. But the race organizers are total pros, offering tons of social media promotions and four different packet pickups! Even race day packet pickup was a breeze, and the swag was great. Every bib had the runner's first name on the front, and the shirts are nice cotton t-shirts I would totally wear in public - they're designed by Oaklandish! And I have never seen a finisher's medal like #FEASTMODE before.

2018 brought a few improvements over the first running of the OTT, in addition to the swag. In 2017, the race was partially routed over the relatively narrow Lake Merritt footpath, causing congestion issues I have come to expect during turkey trots. This year, the race was entirely on wide surface streets, actually allowing me to PR! And good thing - looks like they had over 2400 run this year.

Days before the race, the Bay Area was covered in thick smoke for over a week after the devastating Camp Fire burned in Butte County. But long-awaited rains on Wednesday brought clear skies on Thursday morning, allowing us to breathe comfortably as we circled the heart of Oakland. I can't help but think this is a good sign for Oakland Turkey Trot, a race that's all about community, family, hope and food.