Ah-Thanksgiving! A day dedicated to spending time with family and close friends around a table of good food being grateful for all that is bountiful in our lives. But if you're looking for a different kind of holiday gathering, then you'll want to join more than 1500 friends, families, neighbors and perfect strangers at the 9th Annual Family of New Paltz Turkey Trot in New Paltz. The event, which has become as much of a tradition as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, features a 5K (3.1 miles) run/walk; the Mashed Potato Kids Fun Run; a brigade of local volunteers and, of course, plenty of spectators cheering everyone on!
The scenic course starts at Water Street Market, situated at the foot of Main Street in New Paltz. Runners and walkers head south on Water Street, bear right onto Plains Road and follow it until it ends. Then make a sharp left onto the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and head back to the Water Street Market, crossing Plains Road. New Paltz Boy Scouts can be found at the 1, 2 and 3 mile markers, providing runners and walkers with their times.
The Mashed Potato Fun Run for kids is approximately 1/2 mile. It starts at the Turkey Trot finish line on the rail trail across the street from the Water Street Market. Youngsters run on the rail trail about 1/4 mile and turn around just before Plains Road and run back.
The Family of New Paltz Turley Trot is primarily a fun event to raise money to provide food for area residents during the holidays and to give the runners and walkers a healthy way to start the holiday. The course is not certified. All monies raised benefit the Family of New Paltz Food Pantry. Family provides the community with a food pantry, 24 hour hotline, counseling, support groups.
The Turkey Trot entrance fee until the day before Thanksgiving at 5 PM is $10 for runners/walkers ages 18 and under and seniors 65 and over, and $20 for runners/walkers ages 19 to 64 years. On race day, the entrance fee is $10 for runners/walkers ages 18 and under and seniors, and $25 for runners/walkers ages 19 to 64. 8 AM Registration and packet pick-up; 9 AM FREE Mashed Potato Kids ½ mile Fun Run (10 and under); 9:30 AM Turkey Trot 5K race, fun run, & walk; 10:30 AM (approx.) Awards Ceremony. Race starts and ends at Water Street Market, Main Street, New Paltz.
For more information contact: turkeytrot@gmail.com, www.newpaltzturkeytrot.com