SAXONBURG — After a decadelong hiatus, runners flocked to the Saxonburg Turkey Trot 5K on Saturday.

But the event now has a fresh, new name that properly reflects the borough’s Germanic history. The Truthahntrab 5K, which translates to “Turkey Trot” in German, drew 250 under cold sunny skies on Saturday morning.

“We are thrilled with the turnout,” said Mike Formica, who organized the race with Jack Hutterer and Cory Kamer. “Saxonburg has a great running tradition and we just wanted to bring it back.”

He said the last Saxonburg Turkey Trot was held about 10 years ago during the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts, and drew fewer than 100 people.

He said organizers hoped Knoch track and cross country alumni who were home for Thanksgiving would participate, and that families and Knoch alumni would run together in the “team” category.

“We thought this is the weekend when we can get everyone together,” Formica said. “It’s almost like a homecoming.”

He said the weather was almost perfect for the 5K.

“It’s a little chilly, but by the time the race started, it was pretty much a perfect fall day,” Formica said.

After the race, runners and walkers enjoyed food, coffee and hot chocolate at Roebling Park, which was the start and finish of the race.

Cupcakes, cookies and other fare was donated by Sprankle’s Neighborhood Market in Saxonburg.

Once runners cooled down after the race, they gathered around one of two fire pits set up on Saturday morning, which registered 27 degrees at the start of the race.

Quinton Weaver, 22, of Rimersburg, ran with a group of friends known as Tomcat Elite. The young men are students or alumni from Thiel College in Greenville, Mercer County.

The Truthahntrab was the team’s second race, where they came in sixth or seventh, Weaver said.

“We wanted to win,” he said. “We didn’t win today, but it was a fun day.”

Weaver said running in temperatures below 35 degrees can be challenging.

“It makes it harder to breathe, your muscles are stiffer, and your fingers and toes can get numb sometimes,” he said.

Pittsburgh residents Ashley Hileman and her husband, Kevin Tucker, drove almost an hour from their home in Pittsburgh on Saturday morning to run the 5K.

“We were married in Saxonburg a couple years ago and wanted to come back and visit,” Hileman said. “We love Turkey Trots. They are really community-focused and inclusive and a fun thing to get up and do on a holiday weekend.”

Tucker agreed with his bride.

“Thanksgiving is about family and Turkey Trots are too,” he said.

Tucker said the couple has run a Turkey Trot every year over the past decade, including some in Florida and Ohio.

“I would declare this as the world’s fastest Turkey Trot,” Tucker said of the speed at which the winning runners arrived at the finish line. “I’ve never seen so many fast runners at a Turkey Trot before.”

Hileman said the couple will return to the Truthahntrab next year because they love Saxonburg.

“It’s an adorable town,” she said. “There are a lot of cute shops and nice people, and it feels like an escape from the city.”

“It’s our favorite half-day adventure from Pittsburgh,” Tucker said.

Connor and Quinn McCool, of Clinton Township, participated to stay in shape for their running careers at Knoch Middle School.

Quinn, a sixth grader at the middle school, is training for his opportunity to run as a member of the school’s cross country team next year.

He said he and a friend run three miles after school each day at the Knoch secondary campus.

Quinn’s efforts on Saturday, however, were not enough to overtake his big brother.

“He beat me,” said the younger sibling.

Connor McCool, who inhaled a muffin with his brother after the race, always looks for opportunities to run in the cross country offseason.

“I get excited, especially near the finish,” he said. “Everyone is cheering for you. It’s a good feeling.”

Connor took first place in his age group, for which he received a medal on a ribbon to wear around his neck.

Alyssa Patterson, 14, was a member of the cross country team at Knoch Middle School, and ran with her family at the Truthahntrab in the team category.

Asked how many races she has competed in during her young life, and Alyssa replied “Too many to count.”

“I’ve run by (Roebling Park) so many times, it’s nice to run through it,” she said.

Daniele and Jason Cecchetti, of Buffalo Township, ran with their daughters, Lucia, 9, and Nina, 6.

“Lucia wanted to run a 5K and this is local,” Daniele said. “I think Nina’s in it for the cookies.”

The Cecchettis are lifelong runners who enjoy sharing their hobby with their young daughters.

“It teaches them healthy habits,” Daniele said.

Jason said the couple pushed the girls in strollers during races when they were babies.

He said Saxonburg is a great place to run, as the people are friendly and the town is scenic.

“The weather is a little cool, but it’s dry, so it’s OK,” Jason said.

“It’s really fun,” Lucia said.

Kim Kenetz, 58, of Cranberry Township, was an avid runner in the past, but now walks many races.

The Truthahntrab represented her 49th race of 2023.

She walked the course in memory of her friend, Ed Doyle, who owned Up-N-Running, a running and walking shop in Middlesex Township. He died in December 2020.

Kenetz said she ran all the prior Saxonburg Turkey Trots before they were canceled 10 years ago. She is thrilled the event was rebooted.

“It’s fun to get out and see friends in the running community,” she said. “It’s a great race in a great little community, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”