I just won a 5k Thanksgiving event, but the race manager refused me first prize 20 pound turkey because I was a pro?

Calling troll. Obvious, but too drunk to enumerate

Can we get an update on this please!

(Not a PR) too many times.

2/10

Going back to measure a non-PR race? BS

Buy a GPS watch, Pro.

OK, I've investigated a bit more. The course reckons only about 0.97k, so nearly 3% short per lap. Don't know if it was bad in previous years too or not. There's a large parking lot it goes through, and you can modify the diagonal angle.

Turns out I was actually (I think) 4th after lap 1. The guy who ran out fast was joined by 4 or 5 of his friends in the last 100-200 yards to celebrate, and I didn't realize they were just bandits when estimating my place. There was one legit runner ahead who didn't understand pacing, and the champ from 2 years ago I was about equal with. He said he was hoping for low-16 (aiming for event record), but got an injury in lap 3 (DNF). Also agreed the course was short (said his watch/GPS had 3:01 and 980m), and was mad at the idiots who started so fast (the 1k guy and the pacing-agnostic, not me).

From another source, there were four guys from the local club who were there in 3:20 to 3:30, led by the one who ended up with the turkey. Not sure, but I think two bombed out (18-ish), and the other got 3rd? Anyway, the "local club" is rather snooty, so not all the better runners are in it anyways.

The guy who got the turkey in the end has 6 kids. Was I robbed?

How old is this guy with 6 kids?

a pro just took $450 for a 19:55 4 miler turkey trot

This is all very nice, but is it really helping you get the turkey you deserved? My advice is to talk to the supermarket owner that donated the first prize. They probably have some leftover turkeys anyway.

Stanley wrote:

The guy who got the turkey in the end has 6 kids. Was I robbed?

How old is this guy with 6 kids?

And were there women's prizes?

1st) 20 pounds turkey (donated by local supermarket)

2nd) water bottle kit with fastener

3rd) Official hat (with turkey picture on it)

I'm planning on talking to the supermarket, but like I said, I'm waiting for Monday to contact a lawyer first.

The guy who won the turkey is 30 I think. His oldest kid is 10 or 11, and also ran the race (not sure if all 5k).

There were no women's prizes AFAIK, but if one of them won, I don't think the race manager would refuse her the turkey.

No way. There is not a male south of Winnipeg and north of El Paso that would design a multi loop course using the metric system.

Still Waiting For My Turkey wrote:

I'm planning on talking to the supermarket, but like I said, I'm waiting for Monday to contact a lawyer first.

The guy who won the turkey is 30 I think. His oldest kid is 10 or 11, and also ran the race (not sure if all 5k).

There were no women's prizes AFAIK, but if one of them won, I don't think the race manager would refuse her the turkey.

You talk to your LAWYER over a $25 turkey, rather than the store owner? Was there an entry fee?

Shame of this is in the last thirty five years nothing has changed for the better. Can't count on four hands the amount of times I and others l know of were fxxxxd out of listed prizes. Learned that if you run don't expect the promoter to deliver listed prizes as expected. Get good enough to run for appearance fees paid up front or don't run or expect anything for winning. They always come up with some bullsxxt answer and the local d.a. office always has there back...because it isn't worth the time or trouble... And if they make you start behind elites remember you must make up that extra time. It will not be counted as extra if you beat them...

Miler Standoffish wrote:

No way. There is not a male south of Winnipeg and north of El Paso that would design a multi loop course using the metric system.

You're probably right. That would explain the 3% error, that it's actually 3.00 miles, but in 5 laps to call it a 5k. I should have thought of that myself.

I wonder if the 1k kid has found out the course was short. They were all celebrating because he got 2:48, wanting to hit 2:50 to beat 2-hr marathon pace. But 3% will change that.

The lawyer's office is on the way to the supermarket anyway, and the owner isn't likely around on weekends. And I'm only talking to the lawyer so that I don't get sued over this, when I go public. But now I found out that Monday is a quasi-holiday to do with hunting season opening. So getting my turkey might be stuck in bureaucratic limbo awhile longer.

Also, it was a nice fresh turkey (not organic), closer to $50. Not sure they have any of those left though. There was no entry fee, but people did bring feast food and goodies for some of the volunteers & kids.

Bump