Family of New Paltz Turkey Trot launches chip timing for 5K race
this Thanksgiving
The New Paltz Turkey Trot benefiting Family’s food pantries and crisis programs is about to celebrate its 12th outing on Thursday, November 26, rain or shine, warm or cold. As many as 1,000 runners and walkers have participated at times, and many keep on coming back. “It’s like a big reunion spot,” says founder/organizer Suzanne Holt. “It’s a great, healthy way to start Thanksgiving and be a part of our community.”
This year, for the first time, there will be Best Costume prizes, along with the usual awards in the 5K race for the male and female first-, second- and third-place runner in each five-year age category. The awards will be created by local artist Solveig Comer.
Also new for 2015, according to Holt, “You have the option of chip timing, and for the first time it’s got USATF [USA Track & Field] certification.” The computer chip will be attached to the runner’s bib, and everyone who registers by the November 23 deadline for the timed race will also automatically have his or her downloadable picture taken at the Finish Line at the Water Street Market.
Entry in the half-mile Mashed Potato Run on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail for kids up to 7 years of age, which starts at 9 a.m., is free. Registrants in the chip-timed 5K race, which starts at 9:30 a.m., pay $25 if they’re age 10 or over; 8- and 9-year-olds pay $15. At 9:35 the untimed 5K Fun Run/Walk begins, following the same course as the “serious” runners: south on Water Street to Plains Road, returning to the Water Street Market via the Rail Trail. These more casual runners, walkers and strollers pay $20 for age 10 and up, $10 for ages 8 and 9 if they register by November 23. Registrants after that date pay $25 and $10.
There will be registration at the Water Street Market beginning at 8 a.m. on race day. Earlier registration can be done online at https://newpaltzturkeytrot.itsyourrace.com or in person at the Jewish Community Center, located at 30 North Chestnut Street, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25.
Entertainment at the Water Street Market will be provided by Fuzzy Lollipop. “They sing ‘We Are Family’ for the Turkey Trot every year,” says Holt. “By the time people arrive, they’re playing.” Carl Welden will emcee the proceedings, and Garvan McCloskey will host the awards ceremony.
“Family really relies on this as one of their big fundraisers,” adds Holt. The New Paltz Health & Nutrition Center and Kniffen Homes are this year’s major underwriters of the Turkey Trot. For more info, call (845) 255-7957 or visit www.newpaltzturkeytrot.com or www.facebook.com/new-paltz-turkey-trot-154786261248959.
Kingston’s Turkey Trot supports Junior League’s Little Free Library campaign
Love the excuse to eat all sorts of rich comfort food on Thanksgiving, but hate the idea of all the weight that you usually put on each year as we head into hibernation season? You’re not alone; and that’s why the concept of Turkey Trot races is catching on all over the place. Start your Thanksgiving Day with a 5K run or a brisk walk, and you get a pass to enjoy your ritual dinner guilt-free on the caloric front.
One of the relative newcomers on the local Turkey Trot bandwagon is Kingston, whose third annual outing kicks off from Dietz Stadium at 9 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, and ends at Forsyth Park. It’s organized by the Junior League of Kingston, which offers the extra incentive of the event being a fundraiser for its campaign to install Little Free Libraries all over town. These are freestanding structures like big birdhouses where people can “Take a book, leave a book.” The registration fee to support this worthy cause is $20 per runner or $60 for a family of four, whether you’re participating in the 5K race or the Two-Mile Fun Run/Walk.
Day-of registration begins at 8 a.m. at Forsyth Park, located on Lucas Avenue. The Turkey Trot goes on rain or shine, with free parking available at Dietz Stadium. You can preregister online at www.active.com/kingston-ny/running/distance-running-races/turkey-trot-2015, or pick up a registration form at the Dietz Stadium Diner, Academy General Insurance, MAC Fitness or the Bank of Greene County. For more info call (845) 481-3534, e-mail turkeytrot@juniorleaguekingston.org or visit www.facebook.com/events/596653677140485.
Phoenicia Turkey Trot raises funds for Rotary Club with a Saturday post-Thanksgiving workout
Now in its fifth year, Phoenicia’s annual Turkey Trot is a great calorie-burning option for folks with way too much to do in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning to go for a run. It happens on the Saturday morning following the holiday, November 28, rain or shine.
The main event is a 2.4-mile “fun run, ramble, trot, walk or wobble,” which seems accommodating enough even to those of us nursing a two-day tryptophan (or wine) hangover from our Turkey Day pigout (dogs are not invited). Go for a brisk jog on Saturday, and all those leftovers in the fridge will take on fresh appeal! And the event benefits the good works of the Rotary Club of Phoenicia.
The Fun Run begins at 10 a.m., a shorter Tot Trot for kids aged 5 and under at 9:30. Day-of registration, with fees of $15 per individual and $25 per family, happens from 8 to 9:45 a.m. at the Parish Hall on Main Street in Phoenicia. Or you can preregister, at $10 per person or $20 per family, at www.runreg.com/phoenicia-turkey-trot0. Entry in the Tot Trot is free.
For more info about the Phoenicia Turkey Trot, contact Heather Roberts at (845) 688-7064 or hrobertspt@gmail.com or Patti Rudge at (845) 254-4126 or rudgepatricia@gmail.com, or visit www.phoeniciaturkeytrot.com.
Join the family! 
