Run For The Diamonds!

Every year there is a race on Thanksgiving called Run For The Diamonds.  It's a 9 mile race and according to the website has been put on every year since 1908  (it was cancelled in 1918 and 1919  due to World War 1. How about that for some history!).




Anyway, Runners who place receive diamond rings and pendants for awards.  I don't know if they are real diamonds or not. 


I have wanted to do this race for several years but it just hasn't worked with my schedule.There are several Turkey Trots in our area as well, but I always say the way I eat on Thanksgiving I need to run more than 3 miles. 

So this year I knew I had off on Thanksgiving so I signed up way in advance. Days leading up to the race the weather forecast was looking unseasonably cold. It was predicted to only be in the teens and very windy by the time the race started. Go figure, the year I sign up! Last year it was sunny and runners were in shorts!  Well I have never DNS, plus I paid and didn't want to lose out on that money so I was going to run it regardless what the weather was like. I'd just be bundled up!


We arrived in plenty of time to pick up my race packet and stay warm inside the car before the start. It was soon time to make my way to the start and freeze my butt off until it began. Once we started I can't say I really warmed up much. My feet were so cold. My face was also very cold with the wind right on it. That was the only part of my body that was not covered. I think that is half the reason why I was running fast, I just wanted to get done quickly!

I have heard this race has several hills on the course. I never look at the course map. I guess I just like to be surprised and not know what to expect until I come upon it. The first hill wan't too bad. I overheard this guy saying to his running partner you may need to carry me up this next one. I thought is this next hill that bad? Oh yes it was. It was about a mile of an incline straight up. My pace slowed drastically. There were even a few people off to the side throwing up. Not a great way to start your Thanksgiving.  I continued to keeping moving along and was praying for the downhill to come soon. It eventually came but not for long. As soon as we made it down there was another hill within view. I was so ready for this race to be over! 

I finally made it at the halfway mark around 36 minutes. The last half was just as bad as the first half. The only thing that made it better was running away from the wind and I was finally warming up but not enough to shed any layers just enough to tolerate it. 



There was a lady a bit ahead of me the last few miles. My goal was to keep up with her. I finally ended up passing her the last mile along with a few other people. I was so happy to see the finish line

Unless you were one of the overall winners or placed in your age group you did not receive any awards nor finisher's medal. 

After looking up my time and realizing I didn't place, I grabbed a slice a pizza and I was out of there. I was rather happy not to have to stick around for the awards ceremony. I was freezing and we were already going to be late for our Thanksgiving dinner (since the race started a half hour late and we live about 40 minutes away).

Got this great long sleeve race shirt!

Not sure if I will ever run that race again. There were too many hills, not too much it was freezing. I also think that any distance over a 5k everyone should get a finisher's medal! The only thing that was great about running that race was being able to eat an extra slice of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving:)

Did you run a Turkey Trot or any other race on Thanksgiving? -L



                                            We will be linking up with the gals from TOTR.

26 comments:

  1. That's an interesting distance! It would be an instant PR for me. Sorry to hear it wasn't the best experience for you!

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  2. I have run a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, but it was a 5k. I have actually looked at this race before. I think I might do it. Berwick is about 90 minutes away for us, and if I am not injured, I can often place in my age group. That's one of the benefits of being old - not too much competition! :) I don't mind the hills, but hate it when a race begins late.

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    1. As much as I like sleeping in. This was the first year it was this late from what I heard.

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  3. I have run this race for the past years and love. I do not mind no finisher metal for a 9 mile race at $35.

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  4. I've been in weather like that, and it wasn't fun. Once I was done with my 10k in October, I headed straight home. I wouldn't place, and I was getting cold right after crossing the finish line. I had the heat on all the way home, and I stopped for hot chocolate.

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    1. It was freezing and I was happy to be riding home in a warm car after the race.

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  5. I've never heard of a 9 mile race! Sounds like it was super hilly and tough nice job!

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    1. Thanks! For some reason I thought it was ten. I guess that would have made more sense. But for as cold as it was 9 was too long...ha.

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  6. I wish I had time to run that much before Thanksgiving dinner. :) Don't you just hate when you finally get to do a race and the weather is terrible? Ugh!

    But you got it done & got to eat your pie too :)

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  7. Interesting distance but wow on those hills - sounds intense!

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  8. Just reading this made me cold! At least you got a good workout in and hopefully could relax the rest of your day. :)

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    1. Yes I did! I dont think I would have had any desire doing this race if it wasn't on Thanksgiving.

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  9. My (local) turkey trot was cold, too. I'm glad we had oodles of sunshine and HUGE turnout.

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  10. It was so cold and windy this year! I also like running longer than 3 miles on Thanksgiving. Last year I did a 5k Turkey Trot but other years Ive done a 10k or have been marathon training so I got in a longer run on my own.

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    1. Usually I will just run longer as well rather than doing a turkey trot.

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  11. That's cool that the race has been going on for so many years! But it sounds like a tough one with those hills and the cold weather this year. Great job pushing through!

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  12. I love the history behind this race! Sorry you were late for Thanksgiving, but congrats on finishing another one!! Those hills sound brutal!

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    1. Thanks Karen! There was still plenty of food when I got there so no worries.

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  13. This race sounds very "old school" and wow it's been around a loooong time! That course sounds tough!

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