Registration Open for 71st Troy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Morning
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018 — Organizers of the Troy Turkey Trot, the nation’s 12th and world’s 64th oldest road race, today announced the start of registration for the event’s 71st edition. The signature Collar City event, presented by Pioneer Bank, features a 5K, 10K, Grade School Mile, and Turkey Walk, and will be held on Thanksgiving morning in historic Troy, New York. Registration for all race events is available at TroyTurkeyTrot.com.
The day gets underway at 8 a.m. with the Capital Region’s only Thanksgiving Day 10K. The 10K course will close at 9:30 a.m. to facilitate the start of the Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk at 9:30 a.m. The shorter 5K distance kicks off at 10 a.m. Both the 10K and 5K feature “out and back” course configurations starting at Fourth and Fulton Streets and finishing at River Street’s Monument Square. Family members are invited to show their support by cheering on loved ones.
“We are delighted to welcome everyone back to the Collar City this Thanksgiving for the 71st running of the Troy Turkey Trot!” said Mayor Patrick Madden. “This family-friendly event – which highlights our historic downtown and neighborhoods – is a fantastic way to engage the entire community in celebrating fitness, family and tradition. I am confident your experience at this years’ Troy Turkey Trot will continue to draw you back to the Collar City for many years to come.”
“The Troy Turkey Trot was founded in 1916 to support veterans returning from World War 1,” said Event Director George Regan, noting that the Trot was held 16 times between 1916 and 1963 and 54 times since 1964. “This event has grown into much more than just a foot race. It’s an opportunity for families to come together and enjoy Troy while celebrating the Collar City’s rich heritage and holiday traditions.”
For those looking to loosen up before their event takes place Thanksgiving morning, Choice Physical Therapy will offer a series of warm-up sessions in Riverfront Park at the following times: 7:20-7:40 a.m. (10K), 9:00-9:15 a.m. (Grade School Mile/Turkey Walk), and 9:20-9:40 a.m. (5K).
Registration for all events is currently open at www.TroyTurkeyTrot.com. In-person registration along with bib and t-shirt pickup will be held at the Troy Atrium (4 Third Street) Sunday, Nov. 18 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Weds., Nov. 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Day-of-event registration for all events will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 15 minutes prior to the start of each event on the second floor of the Troy Atrium. Participants for all events will receive a 71st edition blended dry fit t-shirt, finishers medal and post-event refreshments.
While registering online, all participants are encouraged to donate to the event’s two charities, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph’s House & Shelter, a Troy-based not-for-profit whose mission is to prevent and alleviate homelessness.
“The Thanksgiving holiday is not only for spending time with loved ones, it’s also an opportunity to help out less fortunate members of our community,” added Mayor Madden. “Your donations will help our local charities feed a hungry family or provide warm shelter to homeless men, women and children in Troy and Rensselaer County. We encourage everyone to support these worthwhile causes and organizations and I look forward to welcoming everyone to Troy on Thanksgiving morning to celebrate family, community and health.”
“Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for our family, health, friends and all the material blessings we have,” noted Regan. “We hope you will remember those less fortunate and consider donating to these charities during online registration. Last year participants donated $13,500 and this year’s goal is $20,000.”
“Pioneer Bank has sponsored this event for the past 22 years and this year we are proud to be the Trot’s presenting sponsor,” added Pioneer Bank President/CEO Tom Amell. “Family and friends not running can visit any of our 22 branches, all of which will be collecting donations on behalf of the two event charities. To help the Trot reach its $20,000 fundraising goal, the Pioneer Bank Foundation will match all donations up to $2,500.”
All participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to local food pantries and the Regional Food Bank of NENY. These items can be dropped off at the Troy Atrium (second floor) on Sunday, Nov. 18 and Weds., Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and race morning (first floor) starting at 6:30 a.m.
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 here.
Post-race refreshments, entertainment and overall awards will be handed out in the finish line area at Monument Square. All age group awards will be mailed to award winners after the event.
Unofficial results will be available within minutes upon finishing at troyturkeytrot.com via ChronoTrack Live and will also be posted in the finish line area.
For more information or to register, visit TroyTurkeyTrot.com. Sponsors include: Pioneer Bank; Wm. J. Fagan & Sons; Capital District Honda Dealers; Hannaford Supermarkets; Garelick Farms; Choice Physical Therapy; Bryce Real Estate; and, DeCrescente Distributing Company.
About the Troy Turkey Trot
Now in its 71st year, the Troy Turkey Trot is the nation’s 12th and world’s 64th oldest road race, as well as the 11th largest Turkey Trot in the nation. The event, which draws as many as 8,000 participants from 37 states and features a 5K, 10K, Grade School Mile and Turkey Walk, is designed to celebrate fitness, families and tradition against a backdrop of some of Troy's most historic neighborhoods, as well as raise funds for the Regional Food Bank of NENY and Joseph’s House and Shelter. For more information, visit TroyTurkeyTrot.com.