By Julia Neily
Name of the Race: Hanover Turkey Trot
Race/Event Distance: 10k
Date: 11/23/25
Describe the Event: One of the features I liked about the race is that they had food donations for the Haven. Each item brought earned a raffle ticket. I won a basket full of running related items, such as Gatorade zero packets, cliff bars, some hats, a shirt and a frisbee. A raffle is the only way I’d win a prize.
How did you prepare for the race/event? Before each race I set process and outcome goals. I usually set an A, B and C. The A goal is usually a stretch for me which for me would be to run about a 13-minute mile. Even though I was slow, I reached my A goal today. The B goal is usually a 15-minute pace, and the C goal is to finish. My process goal was to enjoy connecting with others.
I also try to make my races and runs a spiritual practice. I wore six bracelets each with a different loved one’s name. I dedicated each mile to praying for a different person.
Any notable moments? I’ve done the Hanover Turkey Trot for many years. It feels like a tradition. This time I wore a Dunkin Donuts suit for fun. The truth is, I wore it because my brother had me order it for him and it was too small for him. He wanted me to have it. It feels so good to laugh with him.
Dunkin Rap and Race
My name is Julia Neily, my brother Danny is a rapper
And when I wear this Dunkin suit, I really look quite dapper
He gave the suit to me and said
Would you wear it in a race?
I did and I had so much fun,
Even if I was in last place
I wore the suit with gratitude because he is doing well
He is a better rapper than me,
Which you can probably tell.
The suit made people smile,
It really made my day.
I think we all could use more joy
Is what I want to say.
There only was one problem
I didn’t have a matching Dunkin hat
I saw somebody wearing one and I said
Hey where did you get that?
He ran the New York City Marathon
He inspired me to set that goal
I’ll have to hurry up and do it before I get too old
I’d like to blame it on the suit that I was really slow
But the truth is that’s the pace
That I usually go
So if you want to have some fun
Just wear a Dunkin suit
It really kept me toasty warm and
I made new friends to boot.
What do you wish you had known about this race/event before starting? That it would be really hard to run in a dunkin suit. ha ha
