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Turkey Day 5k featured local ‘Runner of the Year’
Verna Volker runs for representation of Indigenous women and she wasn’t going to skip the opportunity on Thanksgiving… even after a big honor.
MINNEAPOLIS — By many accounts, Thanksgiving has become the most popular day for running a 5k in the United States.
For many, the motivation might be family tradition, physical fitness, or just fun.
For Verna Volker, it runs deeper.
“Today is always a little bit hard for Indigenous people,” said Volker, who grew up in the Navajo Nation in northern New Mexico. “We call it the day of mourning, and we always remember what happened to our Indigenous people. For me, it’s time for me to be grateful but also to show up at races like this for representation that we’re still here.”
Though this is the first year that she joined the field of the Turkey Day 5k in Minneapolis, Volker began running when she moved to the city 14 years ago, and for the past several years she has been a champion for others to join her.
“I started Native Women Running in 2018, simply as an Instagram account,” she said. “I wanted to bring visibility to Native American runners in the running space.”
To date, that account has gained nearly 32,000 followers, it’s also raised more than $100,000 for charity, led to the creation of more than 20 running teams in the US and Canada and grown the sport among her community.
In recognition of all that work, Runner’s World Magazine just named Verna one of its 2023 Runners of the Year.
“I never imagined that,” she said. “I struggle with seeing myself as a runner because I am not fast, I am not breaking records, but I think it was an honor because, for me, running is about bringing others along.”
That’s why it’s no surprise that when Volker recently ran the New York City marathon, she didn’t do it alone.
“I brought five native women along to run that race too,” she said.
Together, they became the first Native Women Running team to ever run the NYC Marathon.
Although the Turkey Day 5K didn’t include nearly as much fanfare, it did include family. Volker’s son, Simon, also ran the race and the two met up at the finish line.
“I talk about my journey and how I run in honor of my parents and my three siblings who passed, and so every race I always dedicate it to them,” she said. “On this day I’m especially thinking of my ancestors. Every run, whether short distance or long distance, it’s always powerful for me.”
It also makes her grateful… for representation.
“It’s finally being seen after all these years,” she said.
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Kona Grill bartender, Charli Gonzalez, joined KARE 11 Saturday to mix up the drinks.
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The cocktails are available until November 2. One dollar from each cocktail sold will benefit Breast Cancer research organizations.
The Poisoned Apple
- 1 oz Liquid Alchemist Blood Orange Syrup
- 1 oz Jim Beam Bourbon
- Top off with Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Cider
Glassware: 9 oz Bucket Glass
Garnish: Cinnamon Sugar Rim
Prep: Add Blood Orange and Jim Beam to a shaker with ice. Strain over fresh ice into the glass. Fill with Angry Orchard and stir.
The Black Widow
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz agave
- 0.75 oz Cointreau
- Big pinch of black luster dust
- 1.5 oz Patron Silver
Garnish: Half Black Salt Rim
Prep: add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, vigorously shake and strain into a glass.
The Green Intensity
- 0.25 real lychee puree
- 0.5 oz St. Germain
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- Green Luster dust
- 2 oz Bombay Sapphire
Garnish: lychee and Luxardo cherry
Prep: add all ingredients into a shake with ice, vigorously shake, and strain into a martini glass
