Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's time to get your running gear ready once again, as the YMCA Buffalo Niagara has opened registration for the 128th annual YMCA Turkey Trot.
Runners may register at YMCATurkeyTrot.org until race capacity is reached.
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The YMCA Turkey Trot is a time-honored Thanksgiving Day tradition, and is the world’s oldest consecutively run footrace. The YMCA Turkey Trot is an 8k race that attracts 14,000 runners and walkers annually.
"Yes, it's about people staying active and healthy on Thanksgiving Day to run the 8k before you go have your Thanksgiving dinner, but really what the Turkey Trot is all about job is celebrating Buffalo, celebrating the community. Getting everybody together for one common cause, and that's to have a good time," said Mike Baggerman, Communications Director for YMCA Buffalo Niagara in an interview on WBEN. "We've been able to do that now for 128 consecutive years. This year, we're going to be back. We're gonna have 14,000 participants again this year, and it's just going to be an absolutely fun time."
Proceeds raised will help fund vital YMCA programs and services that empower youth, improve community health, and provide support for the community’s most vulnerable.
The Early Bird entry fee for the YMCA Turkey Trot is $37 per-person. Baggerman says there are two reasons for people to sign up early for the event.
"One is we're in the Early Bird special - you're paying $37 to participate in the race. That gets you your bib, that'll get you the commemorative t-shirt, that will get you access to the post-race party. But it's also going to guarantee that you can participate," he explained with Joe Beamer. "Something we know about the Turkey Trot, it's going to sell out. We always sell out, especially as we get right to race day. It's gonna be a party along Delaware Avenue, so you don't want to miss it. Save a few bucks by signing up early, and that way you can participate in this iconic Buffalo tradition. It's part of the 'Buffalo Bucket List'."
The race fee increases to $42 per-person on Saturday, Oct. 14.
A virtual option is also available to participants who cannot attend the in-person event to register for starting Tuesday. Those who register for the virtual race have the option to run, jog, or walk an 8k (4.97 miles) anytime between Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 26.
"We want everybody to be able to participate," Baggerman said. "The Turkey Trot is an inclusive environment. It's not something that you have to actually run, you can walk the Trot as well."
When it comes to the course, this year's trek through Buffalo will remain the same as last year.
"We'll start in North Buffalo along Delaware Avenue near our Delaware YMCA, it'll take you down Delaware, you'll go around Niagara Square, and then you'll finish right in front of the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center," Baggerman detailed. "The racecourse will stay the same, but we're going to have some new tricks up our sleeves this year in terms of fun announcements and stuff. Stay tuned for that. That'll be on our Facebook page, we'll have it on our website. We'll email everybody things that are going on."
In addition, there are already a number of other happenings taking place at this year's Turkey Trot.
"There's a costume contest that we have, we have the post-race party at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, live DJs at the start line and at the finish line," Baggerman said. "Of course, WBEN has been a proud sponsor of the Turkey Trot for several years now. Tom Puckett has been the emcee of that event for years, we're excited to have him back. We're excited to be able to work with you guys to make sure this is a wonderful event. We couldn't do it without sponsors like WBEN."
And for those planning to participate who may worry about parking for the annual 8k race, Baggerman says you shouldn't have to be concerned one bit.
"You don't have to say to yourself, 'Oh, I got a park in North Buffalo, and then how am I going to figure out how to get back to the starting line?' You can park downtown, we're going to have a shuttle service to North Buffalo. If you want to park in North Buffalo, that's cool. We're going to have a shuttle service going back anyway. We're gonna be able to accommodate everybody," Baggerman said. "We've been running this for years. It's a well-run machine, and it's amazing to see how well things come together."
For more information on this year’s race, please visit YMCATurkeyTrot.org or contact the Turkey Trot call line at (716)-565-6000.