Registration Open for 65th Annual Troy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day
Nation’s 12th Oldest Road Race to Feature New Courses, Revised Event Schedule, Improved Commemorative T-Shirts and Festive Family Activities;
Regional Food Bank Named Designated Charity
TROY, NY (September 27, 2012) — Seven thousand participants from three dozen states are expected to descend upon the home of iconic Uncle Sam this Thanksgiving (Nov. 22) for the 65th annual Troy Turkey Trot, one of the oldest and largest road races in New York state.
The event, the 64th oldest road race in the world, is “stuffed” with holiday activities and features a 10K, Grade School Mile, Turkey Walk and 5K.
“The Troy Turkey Trot has been bringing families together to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday since 1916,” said Event Director George Regan, who returns to direct operations after a two-year hiatus. “Since the day revolves around families and fitness, we’ve decided to offer a variety of options for our participants, including mother/daughter, father/daughter and sister/sister teams, just to name a few. It should be tremendous fun!”
A slate of changes, such as a return to the traditional Turkey Trot course using an “out and back” format along River Street, will help make this year’s edition truly memorable. Other modifications include: upgraded gender-specific, moisture-wicking t-shirts for the first 6,200 participants who register for either the 5K or 10K; custom-made commemorative finishers’ medals to all open, age group and team winners; finishers’ medals for Grade School Milers; and, a commemorative finishers’ pin for all Turkey Walk participants.
The 10K event, which features two loops of the flat 5K course and doubles as the United States Track & Field Adirondack Association’s 10K championship, will kick things off at 8 a.m. Families are invited to show their support and cheer on the runners. Race officials will close the 10K course after 90 minutes. Those unable to complete the course in the allotted time period are asked to enter the shorter 5K distance.
Following the 10K will be the Grade School Mile, which is open to children up to eighth grade and is non- timed and the Turkey Walk, a one-mile fitness walk for those who prefer to burn off their pre-meal calories at a slower pace. Both events get underway at 9:20 a.m. There is no fee for either the Grade School Mile or the Turkey Walk, but all participants must register and will be assigned a bib number. Day-of-event registration will be held in the Troy Atrium for both the Turkey Walk and Grade School Mile.
Runners will then toe the line for the 5K, the most popular event of the day drawing up to 5,400 participants, at 9:45 a.m.
Registration for all events opens Sept. 27th at TroyTurkeyTrot.com. For both the 5K and 10K, the registration fee is $20 through 10/21, after which the fee increases to $25 through 11/19. From 11/20- 11/21, the last chance fee is $30. There is no day-of-event registration for either the 5K or 10K.
While registering online, all participants are invited to make a donation to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, this year’s “regional” charity. Organizers have also selected the Troy Boys & Girls Club and the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club as the Trot’s “local” charities. All spectators and participants are invited to bring a non-perishable food item to the Troy Atrium to give to local food pantries.
“We are thrilled to host the 65th annual Troy Turkey Trot and proud to showcase some of Troy’s most historic neighborhoods,” added Mayor Lou Rosamilia, noting that the race is the biggest event Troy holds all year. “This is a fantastic way to get the entire community involved in celebrating fitness, family and tradition. There really is something here for everyone.”
As in previous years, post-race refreshments and entertainment will be offered in the finish line area on Third Street. Complete race results will be featured after the event in The Record newspaper and online at troyturkeytrot.com.
Ample, free event parking is available at a number of Front and River Street parking lots. A comprehensive map of Troy parking lots can be found at: http://troyny.gov/Departments/Parking.aspx
For more information or to register, visit www.TroyTurkeyTrot.com. Additional information is also available by calling (518) 273-5552.