I'm glad to see that they're admitting the massive inconvenience this race causes non-participants but simply moving the start by a mere hour is not going to do diddily.

It should be held the Saturday preceding or following Thanksgiving. It needn't be on the actual holiday anymore than a Christmas party or a Halloween party need to be on the December 25th of October 31st.

My street gets blocked during the race. I always move my car to a street across Commonwealth early in the morning if I need it while the streets are blocked. Never had a problem. I'll make a note that the street barriers will go up a little earlier this year.

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Yes, LG. Massive inconvenience. Or, do you think that they moved the race time just for the heck of it? That they moved the start time is testament FROM THE ORGANIZERS that it's an inconvenience for DR residents.

I'm loving the earlier time -- I've run the trot the past few years and always wished it was earlier, so this is great. Especially love how people come out on their porches, drinking coffee, snacking on breakfast, and supporting the runners. A real community-building event. Our road is also blocked and we have to travel out of town for t-giving dinner, but it's never been an issue. Can't wait for this year's event!

"massive inconvenience" ≠ 20 minutes.

Eric- last year's road closures lasted past noon. That's more than two hours longer than 20 minutes and well into most people's Thanksgiving festivities. I, for one, would have already played-and finished- an entire turkey bowl game (plus a couple beers and whiskies) even before the roads had opened.

I'll also add that even with the roads closed 9ish until noonish really doesn't illustrate the extent of the problem. Most hosts aren't ready for their guest to arrive pre race- eg- 8:30 in the morning- and waiting to depart until noon or later to spend Thanksgiving in say Richmond, is too late.

I've never had guests before 11 am on Thanksgiving, so that should be a non-issue. If you're leaving, based on a glance of the route, the worst areas would seem to be in Rosemont between Russel, Commonwealth, Chapman and Cedar or in Del Ray between MV, CW and Monroe. If it's the former, park on Oak or Walnut the night before, make some runners angry and walk a block. If it's the latter, park anywhere east of MV or west of CW. That's a two block walk, tops. The bulk of racers are within 20 minutes of each other. Figure out then that bulk should be done and poof, you're all good. The whole process should take no more than 20 minutes and should make you plus or minus 40 minutes to wherever you want to go...

check that, plus or minus 20 minutes

I will say that I'm glad they moved up the time. 10 am is pretty late.

So McBrinn, because this is a "massive" inconvenience TO YOU, it should be canceled or moved to another date? Is it really that terrible to move your car the night before and walking a block in the morning if you must leave during race time, as Cathryn stated above? Perhaps you should consider moving to, say, a cul de sac in Ashburn, so that you don't have to suffer such "massive" inconvenience from community activities. NIMBY, much?

LG- why don't you move? I guarantee I've been here longer than you have.

Forewarned is forearmed. Look at the route, move the car and enjoy the day. The Turkey Trot is a Del Ray tradition that has been around 37 years and is one of the many events that helps makes our community such a great place to live.

Plan ahead, and maybe the night before go out and buy plenty of cheese to go with your whine.

How are affected Del Ray residents being notified of the planned road closure? I feel they are entitled be served with a formal notice at least a week in advance.

Tempest in a teapot...

So McBrinn, do you also dislike all the other community events in DR such as the Halloween Parade or Art on the Avenue? Its a race, happens once a year, blocks traffic, it is an inconvenience, but only for a short time, and is a great and much enjoyed community event and indeed is part of what makes this such a wonderful area to live. Events like this is part of the fabric of the community.

I like the Halloween parade quite a bit. But it doesn't prevent me from leaving my house between 8-12.

I think art on the avenue is pretty lame. It's way too crowded, leaves mountains of trash behind, and the vast majority of the vendors are selling cheap, worthless crap. Last year I counted about half a dozen vendors selling cheap t shirts bearing some juvenile reference to marijuana, 'extreme' partying, or something equally sophmoric. It reminded me of the Ocean City boardwalk.

It is an issue for some people, obviously. No one has said it should be cancelled all together, the first commentor just pointed out that they were glad some action was taken, acknowledging the inconvenience some experience. Some people feel strongly it is inconvenient, so it very much IS to them. You can disagree, but you can't prove someone's experience based opinion to be 'wrong'.

It is what it is, all around. I will state again I think anyone with a Commonwealth Avenue address deserves to be officially notified. Not everyone reads the patch. We can't choose who gets to have a heads up on this based on what news circles a person follows, or when they might be in and out of town.

I have lived on Commonwealth for 11 years. The first year was a bit of a surprise since I didn't know about the race and no fliers were distributed. But the folks who were coming by for coffee just parked across Commonwealth and crossed the street. Not a big deal. Now I just plan ahead and park around the corner. I love cooking with the sounds of the cheering in the background. It is a great tradition and a minor inconvenience that is well worth putting up with.

I've never gotten a flier in 10 years of living on the course. Neither have any of my neighbors who equally hate the race.

I did not receive a flier last year (my house is directly across front of the race's start/stop point) but No Parking signs were posted a few days prior.

For those of you who have not received flyers -- just put it on your calendar right before "cook the sweet potatoes." Happens every year on the same day. You've been notified.

Great advice Vicki! Now how will you notify the remaining 96.8% of Alexandrians who don't read this blog?