November 19, 2005

Inaugural Applied Materials Silicon Valley
Turkey Trot runs on Thanksgiving

San Jose introduced fast racing cars to the city last July with its first annual San Jose Grand Prix. Now, on Nov. 24, Thanksgiving Day, some of the world’s fastest hu-mans will grace parts of the same downtown course when the first-ever Applied Materials Silicon Valley 5K/10K and companion Seagate Elite 5K race kick off.

A total prize purse of nearly $20,000 and a spectator-friendly, multiple-loop course practically ensure swift times in the Seagate Elite 5K. Half of the prize purse is reserved as bonuses for any male or female athlete who sets a new U.S. 5-kilometer road record.

All runners and walkers intent upon creating a calorie deficit prior to their Turkey Day feasts will find a niche in the companion Applied Materials Silicon Valley 5K (3.1 miles) and 10K (6.2 miles) events.

The courses include portions of the tree-lined Guad-alupe River Park Trail, which officially opened in September.
Incorporated into the 5K run are “CEO/Celebrity,” “Quickest Cop/Fastest Firefight-er,” and “Fittest Firm” divisions. A Tot Trot Fun Run, sponsored by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, for 5- to 9-year-old children, encourages the whole family to participate.

The Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, Run or Walk for Health, Hope and a Home benefits several local charities including Santa Clara Family Health Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank and the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County.

“The Turkey Trot isn’t just another way for people of all ages to become aware of the benefits of exercise, to help them reach their fitness goals, or to inspire them through the performances of top athletes,” said Carl Guardino, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG). “Most importantly, it gives folks these benefits while providing them an opportunity during the holiday season to support worthwhile charities that help less fortunate people in our community.”

The SVLG, South Bay Labor Council/Working Partnerships, City of San Jose, and Santa Clara County are partnering to co-organize the event.

For the area’s residents, the Turkey Trot will provide a holiday “parade” anchored by doing and viewing. All fun run/walk participants, plus the general community, are invited to cheer on world- and national-class runners in the separate Seagate Elite 5K. This is actually two distinct elite races, run consecutively, one for elite men, the other for elite women. Elite runners will negotiate a flat, one-half mile loop course six times in route to the finish, providing spectators with multiple opportunities to cheer on the swift pack.

All events start and finish in downtown San Jose on Park Avenue, between Market Street and Almaden Boulevard, near the Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The events begin at 9 a.m. and run through the morning. More information, including registration forms and online registration, is available at www.svlg.net, or call (408) 501-7864.