Hundreds of UB students who are staying in the Buffalo area for the Thanksgiving break and looking for a little exercise before the big meal are planning to run the Turkey Trot, a quirky road race that has become a local tradition.
The starting gun for the 108th annual Turkey Trot will fire at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day from the corner of Delaware Avenue and Shoreham Parkway. The race is the oldest continuously run road race in the United States, and is featured on ESPN's SportsCenter each year.
"It is a community event," said Kyle Donaldson, the communication director of the YMCA, which organizes the race. "We've had competitive runners, recreational runners, kids as young as 8 or 9 years of age, possibly even younger, and adults that are 80 years or older even."
Not everyone runs the race, but even if you don't feel like walking eight kilometers that morning, there are other ways to participate, Donaldson said.
"We are always looking for volunteers," he added.
According to Donaldson, the Turkey Trot has grown significantly since its humble beginnings.
"The first race only had six entries," he said. "The popularity has definitely grown because now we average about 6,000 entrants."
One race participant said he doesn't just bring his running shoes, but a shopping cart and costume as well.
"Me and my friends always dress up and run with a shopping cart," Eric Czubaj, who ran cross country and track for UB before graduating in 2002. "We started doing it a few years ago, and we bring a megaphone and throw candy to kids, it's kind of like a parade."
Czubaj said he has some ideas brewing on what he and his friends will parade around as this year, but the information is classified, because a lot of locals look forward to their choice and performance.
"We have a few ideas, but we're keeping it totally low-key until the race," he said.
Czubaj said he's been running in the Turkey Trot for six years, and is looking forward to another memorable experience.
Donaldson said the quirky aspects of the race add to the event's appeal.
"For many of the people who come out, it's for the fun, the camaraderie, and the competition, but it's also for a good cause," Donaldson said. "It benefits kids and their families."
The YMCA uses the money raised by the event to offer a summer day camp, childcare, swimming lessons, and family activities and events throughout the year.
"This is the third oldest YMCA (in the world)," said Phil Bantle, a volunteer for the YMCA. "To keep this branch surviving, we really need the support of the Turkey Trot. Because this one is an inner city branch, it is essential to keep it open for the kids."
And if benefiting a good cause isn't reason enough, both Donaldson and Bantle attested to the amusement in seeing people careening down the street dressed up as Santa Claus and his reindeer, superheroes, and even the occasional caterpillar.
"Usually there is a person in a turkey costume and a woman running after with a butcher knife," Bantle said.
A regular participant in the Turkey Trot, Bantle said he first got involved in the race about 15 years ago when he was a college student.
"A lot of times I wouldn't go home for the holidays, so I needed something to do early on Thanksgiving Day," he said. "They also have a nice party afterwards."
Chuck Laderer, a freshman undecided major, agreed that running in the race is a good time, but the party after is the real added bonus.
"The after party is great," he said. "There's lots of food."
Laderer said he's been running in the race since his freshman year of high school, but only ran it competitively that first year.
To register or volunteer to help out, you can visit the YMCA online at www.BuffaloYMCA.org, or call them directly at 716-565-6000.
"I just think it's a lot of fun," Bantle added. "There is lots of energy, and it is a challenge. I think it's great for young people."
