Thousands partake in Troy Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The 77th running of the Troy Turkey Trot brought in thousands of runners and walkers to join in on celebrating the holiday season. The trot is the nation's 12th and world's 64th oldest race, and it featured the Capital Region’s only Thanksgiving Day 10K, a Grade School Mile, a Turkey Walk, a 5K, and a costume contest.

As many as 7,300 people came out to the trot to participate in the races from 37 states and 6 different countries including Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Anguilla, and Australia. More than 5,000 spectators traveled downtown to cheer on those in the races.

Funds raised during online registration will benefit the Troy Turkey Trot’s two
primary charities, the Regional Food Bank and Joseph’s House and Shelter Inc., With the public’s support, the event raised $25,000 this year. George Regan, the event director, said the race is about bringing families together, as well as helping those in need this holiday season.

"We have two main charities associated with this, homelessness and hunger: the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Joseph's House and Shelter, and the registrants gave over 25,000 when registering in the span of about 4 months," Regan said.

For some runners like Daniel Larson, who participated in the 5K, the race brings him back to his roots in Scotia.

""I started coming over with a bunch of guys from Scotia High in 1966, the Gilbert Family," Larson said. "My family moved out of Scotia when I graduated high school. I just went back and stayed with them and kept the tradition alive. The tradition is the important part."

The trot is a family tradition for 81-year-old Diane Buyer. Buyer won the 5k race in her age category.

"It's been a family tradition that they ran a turkey trot, and I decided I would do it," Buyer said. "So my goal was to run the turkey trot when I was 80, and I met that goal last year, running with my grandson."