Turkeys to trot Saturday
Before making it to the dinner table on Thanksgiving, “turkeys” will get a chance to trot through Butler this Saturday.
The Butler YMCA has hosted a Turkey Trot for years, but the event became a fundraiser for its Annual Support Campaign in 2020. Christina Dreher, development director at Butler County Family YMCA, said the 5K and 1-mile race event gives people a chance to gather before the feasting day.
“Many families participate in trots this time of year, but ours is unique in that it doesn’t fall on Thanksgiving Day,” Dreher said. “It is really special for the local community to experience their city in this way.”
Registration begins for the Turkey Trot at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Butler YMCA at 339 N. Washington St. The 1-mile race starts at 9:45 a.m., and the 5K starts at 10 a.m.
According to Dreher, the race routes will be the same as last year.
“Runners start and finish at the Butler Y and head down West Penn,” Dreher said. “The 1-milers will loop back around at Miller Avenue, while the 5K participants will head into Memorial Park.”
About 155 people pre-registered for the event, which Dreher said is a typical early registration number for the race. While the event is a fundraiser for the YMCA to help people pay for memberships, Dreher said the Turkey Trot serves multiple purposes.
“It looks like an unseasonably warm day, so we’re hoping for a great day-of push in registrations,” Dreher said. “While we always have goals for money raised, this event is more focused on getting our families, members, staff and volunteers together.”
Dreher said the money raised through the Turkey Trot will be used to get people in the door at the YMCA, who may otherwise not be able to afford it.
“At the YMCA, no one is turned away because of the inability to pay,” Dreher said. “All sponsorships and registration fees go back to our community and empower the Y to offer discounted and even free memberships and programs for those in our community who would otherwise struggle to afford these services.”
Day-of registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in the Butler YMCA lobby, and costs $25 per person. Dreher said day-of participants should pay with cash or check. For information, visit the YMCA’s website at butler.bcfymca.org.
