Designed to reduce anxiety and support mental wellness, a new starting signal aims to create a safer, more welcoming race experience for all participants.
SAN ANTONIO — This year, the start line might feel a little quieter.
The San Antonio RoadRunners are making race day less stressful by ditching the traditional airhorn and gunshot start at this year’s Turkey Trot.
Instead, the race will begin with a trauma-informed sound from Start Without a Shot, a global effort that replaces loud starter gun noises with a safe, research-backed alternative.
Why the change? Organizers say that for many people — including veterans, those living with PTSD, and anyone sensitive to loud sounds — the classic race-start gunshot can be more stressful than exciting. The new sound was designed with mental wellness in mind, crafted by top sound designers and neuro-experts from Harvard Medical School and Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, and has already made its debut at international races such as the Kyiv City Marathon.
“We’re proud to make our races more welcoming for everyone,” the San Antonio RoadRunners said. “A race should excite, not trigger anxiety.”
The 2025 SARR Turkey Trot is set for Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, with the event starting at 8:30 a.m. at The Rim Trailhead, 17612 Vance Jackson Road, San Antonio.
Runners can expect a safe, inclusive, and unique start that could become the new standard at races worldwide, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.