Turkey Trot back for 11th year
by Dan McClelland
Local runners and walkers are reminded that Thanksgiving Day tomorrow is more than just about enjoying a hearty meal with families and friends. It’s also about exercise.
-And to that end will be tomorrow morning’s running of the 11th annual Turkey Trot, that remembers the late Erin Farkas Dewyea.
Race start is 9a.m., but the check-in at the Tupper Lake Christian Center off Main Street starts at 8a.m. Check-in again will take place in the church’s entrance area.
As in past years, costumes are encouraged.
Registration for the five-K walk or run is $35 and for the 10-K walk/run its $10 more. There will again be cash prizes for the best walkers and runners and all profits will go this year to benefit Tupper Lake town youth programs and the Kiwanis Club’s many local service projects.
For ten years the Farkas family- Mike and Cathy and their children and some of Erin’s friends ran the event in memory of Erin, who was a well-loved elementary teacher here. For this year’s event the family members have stepped aside from an organizational stand-point and placed the fundraiser in the capable hands of the Kiwanis Club leadership and the Town Recreation Department’s Laura LaBarge and Christielee Geiger. The Farkas family continues to help the new organizers.
As of last week there were about 50 people pre-registered for the event and the number is growing each day. Pre-registration started Oct. 1.
Under the Farkas family’s direction, a number of youth programs and scholarships benefitted from the proceeds.
Proceeds from the Turkey Trot will also be augmented by the proceeds of raffles for door prizes.
Tickets can be purchased before the event at the town hall. The recreation department this week is also selling souvenir shirts in advance of the event.
The drawings will be the highlight of a special new event this year on the eve of the Turkey Trot at Raquette River Brewing. There will be basket and 50-50 raffles, the sale of more event t-shirts and dancing to the rock tunes of “Bitter Sweet,” from 4p.m. on.
Raffle items can also be donated and dropped off during normal working hours at the town hall today.
Complete information about the event can be found at www.tupperlake.com/events/erin-farkas-dewyea-turkey-trot.