REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 76th TROY TURKEY TROT ON THANKSGIVING MORNING: Region’s Oldest, Largest Trot Seeks to Raise $20,000+ for Event’s Charities
Officials at the Troy Turkey Trot (TroyTurkeytrot.com), presented by Pioneer, announce that registration is open for the 76th running of the Trot on Thanksgiving morning (Thursday, Nov. 23), and that more than 2,750 participants have signed up with less than a month to go.
A signature event of the Collar City’s holiday festivities, the Troy Turkey Trot is the nation’s 12th oldest road race and attracts thousands of runners and spectators to historic downtown Troy, N.Y. for the Capital Region’s largest Thanksgiving Day road race.
The Trot begins with the Capital Region's only Thanksgiving Day 10K at 8 a.m. Next up is the Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk at 9:30 a.m. and 9:35 a.m., respectively. The day's main event, the 5K, kicks off at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to form a 5K team with options including: Sister/Sister, Mother/Daughter, Mother/Son, Father/Daughter, Father/Son, Brother/Sister, Brother/Brother, Husband/Wife, Family/Friends, and Corporate. There is no additional fee to participate in a family team category.
All events start at 4th and Fulton Streets and finish at River Street’s Monument Square. Prize money will be offered in the 10K. Overall and age group awards will be offered in both the 10K and 5K. All participants will receive a commemorative athletic blend shirt and a finisher medal.
“The Trot started in 1916 with just six finishers and has become an iconic American road race,” said Troy Mayor Patrick Madden. “We can't wait to welcome thousands of participants, young and old, to Troy on Thanksgiving morning. Our event is not only rich in history, but also a wonderful way to start your Thanksgiving celebrations.”
For those who plan to be out of town this Thanksgiving but would still like to participate, the Trot will again feature a virtual 5K, 10K, Grade School Mile or Turkey Walk option. Virtual events are self-timed, and participants upload their results into the Trot’s registration platform. All virtual participants receive a shirt and finisher medal.
The holiday season is a time to give back to less fortunate members of our community. Participants are encouraged to donate to the Trot’s primary charities, the Regional Food Bank of NENY and Joseph’s House and Shelter, during online registration. They can also support numerous non-profits taking part in the event’s Volunteer Incentive Recruitment Program, an initiative in which local charities receive a cash donation in return for supplying volunteers to the event.
“Last year Trotters stepped up and donated $19,500 to support our non-profits" said longtime Event Director George Regan. “We are looking forward to seeing their generosity shine once again this year. These organizations make such a positive impact by feeding hungry families and providing warm shelter to homeless men, women, and children.”
Free event parking is available citywide. A comprehensive map of Troy parking lots can be found at troyny.gov/parking.
Unofficial results will be available within minutes upon finishing at TroyTurkeyTrot.com and will also be posted at the awards tent. A personalized finisher’s certificate will be available online at TroyTurkeyTrot.com.
For more information or to register, visit TroyTurkeyTrot.com.
Event sponsors include: Pioneer, Wm. J. Fagan & Sons, Capital Region Honda Dealers, Choice Physical Therapy, United Services Group, DeCrescente Distributing Company, and Troy Victorian Stroll.
About the Troy Turkey Trot
Now in its 107th year (76th 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 6,000 participants from 40 states and features a 5K, the Capital Region’s only 10K distance road race on Thanksgiving Day, Grade School Mile, and Turkey Walk, while also raising funds for the event’s two charities, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House and Shelter. For more information, visit TroyTurkeyTrot.com.