Friends, classmates of Aiden Lutz represent their late friend at Turkey Trot
Aiden Lutz, who died Oct. 20 after being struck by a car while riding his bicycle on Dutchtown Road, was supposed to run the 2023 Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday.
Instead, more than 25 of his friends and classmates took his place at the starting line.
Those who showed up to the Butler YMCA to represent Aiden in the race wore bright yellow T-shirts with “In Memory of Aiden Lutz” on the back and a vintage banana seat bicycle on the front.
“He collected them,” said Easton O’Donnell, a sophomore at Butler High School and friend of Aiden’s. “Aiden liked bikes and he loved to run, so we made these shirts in his memory to show support for him and his family.”
Easton said he will do whatever it takes to ensure the memory of his late friend — who has been described as “always smiling”--will never fade.
“I think he’d be proud,” Easton said of the yellow-shirt turnout.
Dawn McClelland, of Butler Township, said her son was a very good friend of Aiden’s.
She said she drove her son, Aiden and their group of buddies to the haunted attractions at Eerie Acres just before Aiden’s tragedy at the hands of a hit-and-run driver.
Police have arrested and charged a suspect for the crime.
“It’s been tough,” McClelland said.
She said the friends who wore the yellow shirts to the Turkey Trot are pursuing a collective goal of sharing Aiden’s example of showing love.
“No matter who you were, Aiden was a friend to everyone,” McClelland said.
She said wearing the yellow shirts in Aiden’s memory and running in the race is therapeutic for his friends.
“I think it portrays the love they had for Aiden and the love Aiden had for other people,” McClelland said.
At the starting line, Sandy Ihlenfeld, executive director at the Butler YMCA, acknowledged the young people in the bright yellow shirts as she welcomed all to the starting line and said a prayer for peace in the local community and world, and safety for the runners.
“Aiden was a member here, so we are thinking about you today,” Ihlenfeld told his friends.
Herb Cratty, race timer with Miles of Smiles Timing Services, said 213 runners and walkers participated in the annual Turkey Trot Saturday.
Cratty won the 5K twice in the 1980s.
Wendy Edwards, of Slippery Rock Township, found herself in the hospital undergoing emergency open-heart surgery in March.
“I’m trying to live a healthy lifestyle and this is a good cause,” the 68-year-old said as she pinned on her number.
Edwards planned to walk the 5K course.
“I’m always the oldest person whatever I do, but I don’t mind,” she said. “It’s nice being out and getting fresh air and being around like-minded folks.”
Chloe Schaefer, 9, of Center Township, waited to run the course with her brother and parents.
“Running makes me feel good,” she said.
Camden Schaefer, 13, ran the 2023 Preston Park 5K as well as last year’s Turkey Trot.
He is an athlete on the Butler Intermediate School’s cross-country team as well.
“I just find it enjoyable,” Camden said of running, “and I like the Turkey Trot because it’s not super hilly.”
Jeremy Brannan, of Butler Township, participated in his first 5K ever at the Turkey Trot, clad in a T-shirt that said “I hate running” in large block letters.
“It was my wife’s idea,” he said of the shirt.
Brannan said he only recently took up running as a means of exercise, and has enjoyed the healthy hobby.
“I feel I can run anywhere now,” he said.
Cindy Reddick, of Butler, has participated in either nine or over 12 Turkey Trot races, depending on which of her family members you talk to.
“My goal is to not go on medication,” said Reddick.
Saturday represented the first Turkey Trot she has participated in since the coronavirus pandemic, so she planned to run and walk this time.
Reddick pushed her now-adult daughter, Lydia Murphy, in a stroller when she ran the Turkey Trot many years ago. Lydia grew up to win the race in recent years.
Reddick looked forward to completing the course with her grandson, Beckett Murphy, 8.
“I just want to run!” Beckett said as he danced to the pop music blaring from a speaker in front of the YMCA on North Washington Street.
Reese Ohorodnyk, 11, of Cranberry Township, came with the big turkey that walked around greeting runners and dancing to the pop tunes to pump up the crowd.
She said her mother may or may not be the person inside the turkey costume.
“It’s a little bit embarrassing, but that’s OK,” Reese said. “Nobody knows she’s my mom.”
Ihlenfeld said all proceeds from the Turkey Trot will benefit the YMCA’s annual support campaign as well as Reach & Rise, the Y’s youth mentoring program.
