The Turkey Trot –a Thanksgiving tradition
Story tools:
Share this story:
T his Thanksgiving Day at 9 a. m. at least 10,000 people will gather to run in the annual Turkey Trot –and you could be one of them.
The Turkey Trot is the oldest footrace in North America. Every year since 1896 people have gathered to run in the Turkey Trot.
The race begins at 9 a. m. sharp on Delaware Avenue, close to Cheltenham Drive. The course is a five-mile run down Delaware into downtown. The route goes around Niagara Square to Church Street and then onto Franklin Street. After the race, there’s a party in the Convention Center, where snacks and drinks are served and awards for first, second and third place are given out in all of the age groups.
Walking or running down Delaware Avenue with thousands of people and not a car in sight is a strange feeling. It really is amazing walking into the city, instead of driving, especially when you are in the middle of the road. The Turkey Trot is worth participating in for that experience alone.
Don’t take too long to decide if you want to join in the race, as it’s only a week away. You can register online at www.ymcabuffaloniagara.org/turkeytrot.html or at any YMCA or Wegmans in the Buffalo-Niagara area. The price to enter is $20 per person until Saturday. The Turkey Trot isn’t just a race; it’s a gathering that you can bring your family and friends to. All the money goes to the YMCA to help the families who participate in YMCA programs.
It doesn’t matter your age –anyone can run in the Turkey Trot.
Frankie Cotroneo, who is 11 and attends Buffalo Charter School of Applied Technology, is planning to run this year for the second time. Frankie remembers having a great time when he raced in 2007, and that’s why he’s running it again.
Recalling his first time participating in the Turkey Trot, he said: “You get to see the whole city of Buffalo and spend time with family and friends.”
This is not a typical race –there’s a lot of people who walk or run in groups.
Marc Bach of Tonawanda has been participating in the Turkey Trot since 1993. He got started by going with a group of people he worked with. They raced separately and then met up afterward at the Convention Center.
“The run is a great way to help support programs for the YMCA,” said Bach. “Get out there and try to do the best you can,” he added.
If you’re a person who always likes to have something to strive for, then the Turkey Trot may just be the thing for you. Each person participating in the race is given a computer chip to wear during the race. After the race, you can find out how fast you ran, then you can attempt to beat your time the following year.
The race can be something that helps others and helps you, as well as giving you something to do with your family on Thanksgiving.
It doesn’t matter whether you like to run, because winning isn’t the point of the Turkey Trot.
In a way, it’s “honoring those who can’t participate,” Bach said.
You should keep that in mind if you do plan on taking part in the race: Be thankful that you are able to participate and that you may be helping those who cannot.
Alexander Randazzo is a sophomore at City Honors.
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Reader comments