5,885 Runners Gather In The Collar City for the 75th Troy Turkey Trot
5,885 Runners Gather In The Collar City for the 75th Troy Turkey Trot:
More than $19,500 Donated by Participants to Trot Charities, Regional Food Bank of NENY and Joseph’s House and Shelter
TROY, NY (Nov. 24, 2022) — With temperatures hovering in the low- to mid-30s, 5,885 of participants from 31 states and three nations flocked to the Collar City this morning for the 75th Troy Turkey Trot, America’s 12th oldest road race.
The event, which started in 1916 and has been run consecutively since 1964, began at 8 a.m. with the area’s only 10K. During the 6.2-mile run, which took the 1,168 runners along River Street, across the Green Island Bridge and down 3rd Ave. to Lansingburgh, Sean O’Brien (of Altamont, NY) edged Ryan Udvadia (of Clifton Park, NY) with a time of 30:44 to claim the title and win the $300 first place prize. First in the female division was Charlotte Richman (of Albany, NY), whose time of 34:14 also earned her a $300 payday.
A sizable field of 3,620 then toed the line on Fourth and Fulton Streets for the 5K, the Trot’s marquee event. Participants, many of whom competed in family teams, were in a festive spirit on the “out and back” course, which was crammed along River Street with cheering spectators. Alex Hislop (of Buffalo, NY) was the first male to hit the finish tape at Monument Square, with a time of 15:01. Female bragging rights went to Amanda Chambers (of Schenectady, NY), who crossed the line at 17:13.
“It is always wonderful seeing so many people making this annual event part of their Thanksgiving plans,” said longtime Event Director George Regan. “We had excellent running conditions today and it was a joy seeing so many smiling faces. This isn’t just a race but a long-standing tradition where we come together to celebrate family and friendship.”
Earlier in the day, 534 kids took part in the Grade School Mile, a fun chip-timed event for children in the 8th grade and below. Meanwhile, 539 Trotters opted to burn off their pre-meal calories at a slower pace by tackling the Turkey Walk, a one-mile fitness walk that followed the same course as the Grade School Mile.
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and sharing with others and Trotters raised $19,500 through online registration donations to benefit the Regional Food Bank of NENY and Joseph’s House and Shelter, Inc., a Troy-based not-for-profit whose mission is to prevent and alleviate homelessness. Pioneer Bank Foundation matched participant donations up to $2,500.
“The City of Troy is so proud to share Thanksgiving morning with so many families and individuals from all over the Capital Region and beyond,” beamed Troy Mayor Patrick Madden. “It really is a community event in its truest form.”
For more information, please visit TroyTurkeyTrot.com.
About the Troy Turkey Trot
Now in its 106th year (75th running), the Troy Turkey Trot is the nation’s 12th and world’s 64th oldest road race. The event, which celebrates fun, family and fitness against a backdrop of some of Troy's most historic neighborhoods, draws more than 7,000 participants from 40 states and features a 5K, 10K, Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk, while also raising funds for the event’s two charities, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House and Shelter. For more information, visit TroyTurkeyTrot.com.