41st Turkey Trot Draws 7000 People from Around the Country

The annual Turkey Trot fun run race has three routes for participants to choose from – the one-mile race, the 5K and, for those daring enough to courageous through the high tides and sand, a 10K is also offered.

Many participants sport a bit of holiday color, if not holiday-themed costumes.

On Santa Clara Street, thousands began running, some wearing festive turkey hats to keep their heads warm from the piercing cold. He said his familiarity with the course, having run it several times before, worked to his advantage.

“This is just one way for everyone, volunteers and racers, to give without writing a check”, he said.

Mayor Andy Tuzinski agrees.

More than 200 officers will be taking part in the 12th annual race, which is billed as the largest timed Thanksgiving weekend race in the United States. This was the fourth year they’ve participated in the run, Suzanne said. Trish Kilgannon shares more about a holiday tradition that burns fat before the big meal. “This was a little bit longer, and I like that”.

“I am running to enjoy this lovely weather, to be with my sister, my nieces, my mother and to enjoy turkey later on”, said Phyllis Smith.

“This is such an inspiration”, she said. “I wasn’t looking to be the fastest runner”.

She also had the enthusiastic support of her husband, borough chiropractor Dr. Christopher Wawrzyniak of Functional Health, 32 Roosevelt Ave. who agreed to sponsor the Turkey Trot 5K.

“There has been a few years because of weather, we haven’t, but otherwise we always come out and do it”, said runner Eden Langlios.

Tom Temperine waited for his daughter, Nadine Solomon, to finish the race with his granddaughter, Kadence.

And while the race is a great morning workout, many runners used it as a reminder to be thankful and charitable. “And”, he said, smiling.

We caught up to one runner before the race started and she’s been participating in the Turkey Trot for three years now.

The 14th annual Ultimate Fitness Turkey Trot was held in memory of Gary Gibbs, a former Deming High School football coach and physical fitness trainer who passed away this year following a brief illness.