BOYERTOWN —Runners, walkers and spectators crowded at Boyertown Community Park for the Wellness Council of Boyertown’s 9th Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk.
“We are just extremely grateful for everyone that took part in this year’s Turkey Trot,” said Jeff Shontz, Turkey Trot race director. “It’s just amazing how the community came out, even in the rain, and ran this year.”
This year, a record-breaking 904 runners braved the rain and 40-degree temperature to participate. Previously, the 2023 race had 612 runners.
“I think that the Boyertown community is amazing,” said Jena Shontz of the Wellness Council. “They really come to support each other — the businesses and the people. I think this really brings everybody from the small little town together and they show up big. We have more runners than some of the bigger towns, so that’s awesome. Not only is it a memory, but it’s just become an annual community event that everybody looks forward to.”
The Boyertown Turkey Trot was established when Boyertown football stopped playing on Thanksgiving Day and honors Clifford Reigner, a passionate sports enthusiast, accomplished athlete, and dedicated advocate for the Boyertown community and its sports programs.
“We had 198 the first year,” said Charlene Wysocki, Wellness Coordinator at the Wellness Council of Boyertown. “Look how we’ve grown!”
Sisters Taylor and Lindsay Bieler ran in the 1-Mile Fun Run for the first time. “It was chilly and cold, but we got through it!”
“At first running in the rain felt good,” said Erica Gooding of Philadelphia, “but once you stop (running) it’s freezing.”
Participants of all ages came decked out in everything from traditional running gear to turkey-themed hats, pajamas, socks and tutus.
One runner, Annette Musloski of Pottstown, even raced in an inflatable riding-a-turkey costume: “It was fun.”
She used her ensemble to inspire her 6-year-old daughter, Piper Jean who ran in her first race.
As runners crossed the finish line, Boyertown High School volunteers handed out custom participation medals.
Aiden Voth, 18, of Boyertown took first place with a time of 17:03.23.
Georgia Tech sophomore Ethan Maraldo won second place with a time of 17:07.61.
Shane Burkhardt, 16, of West Virginia, who came in 3rd place at 17:08.73, is part of The Wishbone Warriors, a family that gathers each year to run in the Turkey Trot.
“This is our hometown,” said Jen Burkhart. “Everybody comes home for Thanksgiving; we run first.”
The Burkhart clan had 23 members in attendance this year, up by seven people from last year.
“We’ve been running since we were little,” said Burkhart. “My dad (Joe Senior) started cross country at St. Stanislaus (now Mater Dei Catholic School). He’s had us all running since we were young.”
Due to technical difficulties, race times and awards were not available. Visit the race site RunSignUp.com for results at https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boyertown/BoyertownTurkeyTrot. Trophies will be available at Bear’s Den Fitness for the three top winners in each age bracket, the top overall male and female, the largest family and the person who traveled the farthest.
Anyone who pre-registered was entered to win door prizes including chocolate turkeys, pumpkin pies, gift baskets and gift certificates to downtown Boyertown businesses.
The Salvation Army truck was on-site providing free hot chocolate.
All proceeds go to the Wellness Council of Boyertown, a program of the Boyertown Area Multi-Service, a social service agency dedicated to meeting needs and improving the lives of people in the Boyertown School District Area and surrounding communities.
