Thanksgiving morning is a welcoming time of relaxation for most. Silencing your usual alarm, waking up far past sunrise and snuggling up on the couch watching parade floats with lip-synched performances have become tradition for so many American households.
Though as most of us raced to the dining tables for heaping helpings of mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie and the likes, over a thousand brave and selfless souls raced around town, putting us all to shame.
On Nov. 22, Family of New Paltz hosted the 14th annual Turkey Trot, a 5K run/walk held each year on Thanksgiving morning.
Turkey Trots are actually a Thanksgiving staple, as hundreds are held in towns around the country on the morning of the holiday each year.
Family of New Paltz is a local crisis intervention center that has been active in town since 1975. The center provides services including counseling, shelters, support groups and a food pantry. All funds raised by the Turkey Trot go towards the pantry, which has served over 1,000 local Hudson Valley families in the past year.
Sponsors, volunteers, runners and their families came out first thing in the morning to take part in the Thanksgiving festivities. The course for runners is USA Track and Field (USATF) certified and begins and ends at Waterstreet Market, taking runners through the scenic Walkill River Valley Rail Trail along the way.
For those who were not interested in the competitive race but still wanted to participate, more laid-back alternatives were available, including costume contests and the Mashed Potato Fun Run—a half-mile race free for kids ages 12 and under.
In total, 1,095 participated, with 746 finishing the entire race. The average pace was 11:53 per mile and the average time rounded to 36:51.
Chris Garvin, 37-year-old, took home first place in the male category, while 20-year-old Abby Williams won the title for the females.
Sponsors for the event included local vendors such as New Paltz Health & Nutrition Center, First Care Medical, Shoprite and Dedrick’s Pharmacy.
Family of New Paltz had their fundraising goal set at $2000 and as of Wednesday, Nov. 28, $2362 had been raised.
Family of New Paltz is located at 51 N. Chestnut St. Program hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday to Friday. For more information on the center or their programs, visit their website at familyofwoodstockinc.org or call the center at 845-255-7957.
