As parents we all have to answer the never-ending question, “What are we going to do with the kids today?” At the same time we’re looking for things that don’t cost a lot or are free. The 2012 Turkey Trot Fun Run cost nothing and was fun for the whole family.

My kids were surprisingly excited and spent forever choosing their athletic attire. We mustered their enthusiasm and headed out to the parks and recreation facility on Rufus Allen Blvd in South Lake Tahoe. 

The kid’s races started at 11 am and there was a more serious adult race of 2.8 miles at noon. We did not hang around for the latter. There were hundreds of kids who would race in their respective age bracket races.

My 7-year-old daughter finished in the middle of her pack and was over the moon to get a participation certificate. My 10-year-old son came in at the back of his group citing a fellow runner who stomped in a puddle and splashed him in the face. He received the same certificate but was more grateful for the free hotdog and hot chocolate!

Both of my kids felt like they accomplished something and did not expect the usual trophy for not winning. My wife and I accomplished something too. We got out of the house and had some free family fun. The Turkey Trot will be on our agenda next year for sure.

Tony Lyle is a Tahoe resident and the director of tourism for the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. He loves the outdoors and spends his weekends exploring Tahoe South with his family.