Mother-Daughter Memories Evolve Through Trot

The Dallas Turkey Trot presented by Texas Health has brought Thanksgiving memories to families across North Texas for over 55 years! Such has been the case for Christy Alfertig and her mother Judi. They began their Turkey Trot journey in 1977 when Christy was only 12 years old, and now Christy continues to run with friends or solo, creating new memories for herself each year. Her goal is to be able to run the Trot for another 20+ years!

Christy’s Trot Story

I started running the Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot in 1977 with my mother Judi as part of the 1970's running boom. I was 12 years old. After that first year we were hooked and it became a holiday tradition, always the 8 miles for both of us. Sometimes my brother would join us, but usually it was just my mom and I hurrying to the start line after putting the turkey in the oven.

Mom stopped running the Trot around 2015 in her 70s - her own impressive streak!

I would then run it with friends or sometimes alone. I was never really by myself because I’m surrounded by other festive runners. I've ran between 40-45 Turkey Trots missing only a few years in all that time. That's a lot of colorful t-shirts! 

It was a holiday mainstay for me through junior high, high school, college, and beyond. I remember running through two ice storms, numerous thunderstorms, and so many perfect Dallas fall mornings. The route has changed a bit over the years but some of my favorite parts are seeing the faster runners already coming back while we're still on the viaduct, "heartbreak hill" in Oak Cliff, running under the bridge by Reunion Tower with everyone yelling, the great neighbors around Lake Cliff park, the last uphill push to the finish line, and visiting friends afterwards in the Luke's Locker tent. 

Some years the Turkey Trot has been a victory lap after completing a fall marathon weeks earlier and some years it's been a training run for the December Dallas Marathon. Either way, those 8 festive miles are always a highlight of my Thanksgiving. While my finish times get slower, I hope to continue my Trot tradition for another 20+ years!

Turkey Trot Forms Thanksgiving Memories

Start making memories for you and your family this year by registering your family for the 58th Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot presented by Texas Health! We have races for you, you little ones, and even your four-legged friends.

You can form a group and dress up for our Costume Contest or watch your child crawl in their first race though our Diaper Dash!

Whether you’re a competitive racer or just looking for some memories and fun, there is something here for you at Turkey Trot. Register TODAY!

You can also help create memories for yourself and others by volunteering! Found out how to be a volunteer.