Michael Tyler, Staff Reporter

The Turkey Trot marathon, a 10 year tradition at CSU Monterey Bay, has pulled up lame this year due to lack of funding. 
“Basically, it’s a business decision,” CSUMB Athletic Director Howard Gauthier said, “as a fund-raising event, it just wasn’t bringing in a return.”
The 4.8 mile run, which began during CSUMB’s Kelp Kraze in 1996, was a way to bring the community to campus and let them see what the University was all about. Each year students and nearby residents eagerly trotted the cross-country course with a prized turkey awaiting the winners. 
Participants had the option of running the full 4.8 mile trek or walking a shorter 3.1 mile course.  Coaches and staff were on hand to direct the trotters, record finish times and hand out prizes.  Runners and walkers were given an hour to complete the course and long-sleeved T-shirts were given to everyone who finished.
“We are very sad to not have the race this year” said CSUMB Cross Country Coach Yi Mao. “The entry fee is very low as a way to include the community, but the lack of sponsors makes it rely on the administration for financing.”
“If we could find a sponsor, it would offset the cost factor,” said Gauthier. “Between overtime for staff and the cost of shirts, prizes and turkeys, it became a revenue loss.”
Many people were disappointed to find the marathon cancelled this year, said Mao, “but it is not permanent. We may find some local sponsors and start it again or move it to the spring as an alternative.”
If moved to the spring, would a new name be considered, perhaps the Ham Trot?  The administration and coaching staff are open to creative suggestions that would save the marathon and its 10 year tradition.
For now, CSUMB students seem to prefer the front-runner and traditional name for the event, the Turkey Trot.
“I think the Turkey Trot is really cool,” said CSUMB senior Brynn Wenskay. “It’s a great way for people to get out, enjoy the campus and do something fun.”
“I had a really great time running the turkey trot last year and I am really sad that they are not having it this year,” said CSUMB student Ashley Chavez.  “I thought it was a great event and was a good tradition that CSUMB needed to keep up.”
Other events people can participate in are the Walk-A-Thon, a women’s sports fund-raising event scheduled for Feb., and the President’s Cup, an 11-year golf tradition that helps fund CSUMB’s intercollegiate athletic teams.
People interested in volunteering can pledge their time to the Otter Backers, which is, according to Gauthier “a booster-club that raises money for specific sports or general fund scholarships.”
“If students are still looking to support a fun-run, like the Turkey Trot, just give me a call and I can help them redirect their ideas to Student Activities or a Running Club,” said Gauthier, “that way we can identify the real purpose of the event.”