2025 Sandy City Turkey Trot 5K Race Recap - Sandy, UT

Official Time: 26:53
Placement: 1st in age group, 54th overall
Race Website: Here

Results: Results
Weather: mid 40's 10 mph breeze from the north
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2013] [2014] [2021] [2022] [2023] [2024]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:04	Feeling good and in control. Slight downhill
2	8:42	The bumpy bike trail was throwing me off. Felt like I was running faster
3	9:24	Uphill to the start. I didn't give up.
3.10	0:39	Push it to the finish!
	Total Miles: 3.10 - 26:51

Sunny Day at Lone Peak Park

Introduction

It's been a while since I've done a race and finally I had a weekend that didn't involve moving stuff from Point A to Point B.

I had a choice between two races: the Vineyard Blizzard 5K in Vineyard or the Sandy Turkey Trot.  Honestly, I was torn between the two races, each having their own charms.  Since a bunch of my friends were running Sandy, and it was closer, and I was in desperate need of a new t-shirt (I only have about a dozen -- the rest are in storage).  With some misgiving, I opted in for the Sandy City race.

I had done the Sandy race for many years but from 2015 to 2019 it conflicted with the Las Vegas Marathon, so I had take a break from it.  

The Race

The race is held at Lone Peak Park, an easy drive from my current location.  There is ample parking there and is a suitable place for a race: with bathrooms and a pavilion.  There were about 211 other runners there for the 5K.

I arrived just after 9 AM, found parking, grabbed my bib and shirt.  I had about 30 minutes to warm-up before the race start.  It was a beautiful morning -- chilly enough to question myself as to whether I wanted to wear gloves (I opted no).  The sun was bright and there was only a hint of a breeze.  I wound up doing about a 1.5 miles of easy running and a few strides and drills before deeming myself as ready to race.

First turn out of the park

The race starts in the park on the sidewalk.  It is a clustered start and it can get crowded.  I had moved up to the front but still a respectful distance from the frontrunners.  The race started suddenly at 10 AM and we were off.

The first quarter mile or so is run on the sidewalk of the perimeter of the park.  Other than it being slightly congested, it was a pretty place to run.  I eased into the race -- but looking at my pace, it was anything but easy.  I was moving comfortably forward.  I was locked in with a couple of kids who loved my Chick-n-legs Thanksgiving themed shorts.

The kids were probably a 5th of my age and the two boys took off. I wound up running the great majority of the race with their sister.

Another quick right turn

Then down this road

After running the perimeter of the park, we exited the park and into a subdivision.  The course was well marked and they had marshals at all the turns (a few years ago they didn't).  On the open road, I could settle into a decent pace without worrying about trampling over anyone.

I felt like I was running at a solid effort and I was feeling good.  The front runners had left me in their dust.  The people I was running with were all half my age.  I saw a few senior aged runners ahead of me but I had no idea if they were in my age group at all.  It sure would be nice to win something at my coming out race.

At .6 make another right turn

Then head down this street

After a series of turns through the housing area, we were dumped off on the Porter Rockwell bike trail.  I was also greeted with a bit of a headwind.  The first mile had a descent of about 51 feet.  There were also some uphill sections.  Mile 1 rang up on my Garmin in 8:04.  The only time I had glanced at my watch was to mark how long it was from one of the final turns to the finish line (.60) but I was pleased with the time.  I knew the first mile was the fastest, though, but I was still feeling good.

Mile 1 to 2 -- I was determined to hang on.  I wouldn't call the bike trail flat and with the wind; it just made it challenging.  Also, there were a few points where I thought that the bottom of my shoe had come off.  Either that, or I was losing control of my left foot (it was only the left foot).  I almost stopped to check my shoe figuring I was going to be walking.  It turns out the trail has some hidden divots and it is easy to trip on sections of the indentations.  It definitely took my focus off of running for about a quarter mile, but eventually I was able to clear the area.

Stretch of Bike Trail

There were also a few loops around some very small little league-like fields.  This definitely caused me to lose a bit of my momentum.  I knew it was going to be there, and in some ways it was nice to catch a break from the straight-aways.

I also got an opportunity to see if anyone in my age group was in the front back (it was kind of an out-and-back course).  I counted at least two potential competitors in my age group that were significantly ahead of me.  

Finally a lap around the infield of a baseball field and I was heading back to the starting line.  I was still running with the girl and a few guys half my age.  At times, I put down a bit of a burst and if I had to guess my pace, I would've told you about 8:25 - 8:30.  Turns out, I was running 8:42.

After exiting the bike trail, climb this hill!

The final mile is a challenge.  Remember the first mile with its net descent? Well, now we'd have to run up it. I was pretty spent but still mentally in the game.  I hadn't given up and despite a flagging mile 2, I was hoping I could still turn in the same effort for the final mile.

After exiting the bike trail I had the most challenging section of the race.  It was a simple hill -- not more than .2 of a mile, but my pace cratered.  I was doing a shuffle of 11:30 or so at times.  The runners around me -- their paces slowed as well.  At least I was in good company.

Once I got to the top of hill however, my turnover increased but I was unable to get back to the 8:40 pace.  I had competition I was working against and a guy who had passed me at about mile 2 (who appeared to be in my age) -- I was beginning to real him in.  He definitely was acting like he was hurting.  By mile 2.5 I sailed past him but for the final stretch I occasionally glanced over my shoulder to see if he had anything left to chase me down.

Grind to the finish

I was working with another guy (again half my age) and we were swapping spots.  It was nice to have company and someone to challenge me.  

With about .35 miles to go, we entered the park again and I was really hoping to drop the hammer.  But my pace was still stuck in the mid 9's.  I was working hard and still trying but my 5K pace was completely shot.  It wasn't until the last .15 miles I was able to kick it up a notch.

Home stretch!

The young man I was working against had another gear (or two) and he pulled away from me -- so much for a sprint finish.  No one else was behind me but I still acted like someone was.

I made the final turn and saw the Sandy City 5K race flags welcoming me back to the start line.

Conclusion

So I had checked my watch a time or two in the park and I knew I wasn't going to hit my A goal time.  I had visions of maybe clocking 25:50 -- anything under 26 minutes I would've been happy with. Instead, I barely cracked 27 minutes.

I came into the race feeling largely fresh and with two months of nothing but a healthy amount of training, I felt like I didn't live up to my goals.  Granted, the course is not a fast one but it is an honest one.  I also came in about 50 seconds slower than last year.

About how I felt at the end -- meh

Was I despondent?  No.  But I wasn't too happy.  Although if I had to take home a positive from the race it was that I didn't give up.  I felt like I ran a good race.  

With some trepidation, I checked the race results and after some wrangling by the race timer (some ages were not entered correctly) I discovered I had won the 55 to 59 age division.  

I wound up winning a medal and a pumpkin pie (enough to feed a small family).  For a low budget race, they do have some nice prizes.  

Prizes!

I like this race.  The course is challenging and an honest one.  The distance came in at 3.10 miles and any hill advantages I had, I had to pay it back on the return.

They had bananas, granola bars and water at the end.  Pretty basic fare but expected for a 5K at about $35.  The shirt is a cotton one but as usual, they have a cute Thanksgiving Day Theme on the front of it.  I love the Sandy City's t-shirt designs.

Fun with Friends!

Once again, I had MUCH higher hopes for myself.  I came in fairly fresh feeling, my warm-up had gone well, but I think the course got the best of me.  I think I have more to give but 

I also really enjoyed seeing my friends -- many I haven't seen in quite a while with my race hiatus.  As my time in Salt Lake dwindles away, it'll be hard not to have them in my corner when I decide to race.

Upcoming Races

11/27: 2025 South Davis Recreation Center Thanksgiving Day Run 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)