Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Not only is it the oldest consecutively-run foot race in the world, but it's also one of the best Thanksgiving Day traditions in Western New York.
The 129th annual YMCA Turkey Trot takes place Thursday morning in the City of Buffalo, as this year's event is sold out with 14,000 trotters ready to take part in a staple of Thanksgiving Day.
Mike Baggerman with YMCA Buffalo-Niagara says preparations for the annual foot race gets started almost immediately after the race takes place on Thanksgiving.
"We started getting the ball rolling, seeing how we can make the event better each year. And then once things got rolling, everybody just did their jobs, and now, all of a sudden, here we are," said Baggerman in an interview with WBEN. "The Turkey Trot is here, everything is a full go. We're so excited to welcome 14,000 trotters back along Delaware Avenue on Thanksgiving Day. This is our 129th-consecutive year of running this race, and what better place to do it than Buffalo?"
Baggerman says this event grows every year in one form or another. Whether it's the number of participants in the foot race, the number of volunteers or even the spectators lining the streets, there's always something new happening along the race course.
"Whether it's a donut drop coming along the S-curves, whether it's the new live music that's happening at the Buffalo Convention Center during the post-race party. And then, of course, everybody's favorite new amenity every year is the t-shirt," Baggerman said. "The Turkey Trot each year is a huge celebration of the Western New York community, and when everybody participates in the Turkey Trot, they make a difference and they help grow the foundations of Buffalo by helping kids learn safety around water programs, by combating hunger and food insecurity, by closing the achievement gap and ensuring health equity for everybody. That's what participation in the Trot leads to, because it helps the YMCA fund the vital services that can do things like that, and affordable childcare."
For those who have already registered for the Turkey Trot, Baggerman strongly encourages trotters to pick up their race day materials on Wednesday at the Independent Health YMCA in Amherst on 150 Tech Drive, right next to ECC North.
"After that, if you're looking to pick it up on race day, you'll be able to do that at the Delaware YMCA, right near the start line. But there's going to be a lot of people, and we just don't want you to miss the beginning of the race," Baggerman noted. "So pick up the packet today, 10 a.m.-to-6:30 p.m. at the Independent Health YMCA in Amherst."
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As is usually the case with late November weather, Baggerman advises people planning to take part in the Turkey Trot to dress appropriately. The National Weather Service is currently projecting Downtown Buffalo to see rain and snow likely between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. EST before things turn completely over to rain, and temperatures in the high 30s and low 40s.
"You might remember a couple years ago, we had a huge snowstorm, and there were concerns from the general public of whether or not the Turkey Trot would actually be running. We're so used to there being different weather around this time, because it's just totally unpredictable. But we do encourage people that if you're going to participate in the Trot, just make sure you dress appropriately," Baggerman added. "Whether you're going to wear the chicken costume or you're going to dress as Ninja Turtles, make sure you take care of yourself, because we don't want any accidents to happen out there on the race course. But we know Buffalo is a smart bunch, but we know they'll do things the right way."
And while the Turkey Trot, itself, is a great tradition of Buffalo, the post-race party at the Buffalo Convention Center is certainly going to be the biggest party anyone is going to have on Thanksgiving Day.
"After you finish the Trot, you just have to walk not even a quarter mile to get to the entrance of the Convention Center. And when you get in, we're going to have everything from recovery snacks, recovery drinks, live music. Just get a chance to hang out with some of your favorite neighbors here in Buffalo, enjoy some music, have a great time, reminisce about how fun the Turkey Trot was," Baggerman added. "And the Convention Center party is going on, starting at 9 o'clock, really, right when the Trot begins, that's when the post-race party will start as well. So make sure you get to the finish line as quick as you can so you can enjoy, responsibly, your Thanksgiving morning."
If you're not able to participate in this year's Turkey Trot, Baggerman does encourage anyone to continue donating to the YMCA, as this is annually the YMCA's largest fundraising event.
"We talked a lot about how it goes to help the community, but if you're not able to participate in the Trot this year, we do encourage you to still donate to the YMCA. Your gift, no matter the size, can make a difference in the Western New York community," Baggerman said. "To donate, it's really simple: Just go to YMCATurkeyTrot.org, you can follow the links on there to give back. We said it's the season of giving, of course we have the Turkey Trot, Giving Tuesday is coming up. If people want to shop for the season, don't forget about your local nonprofits such as the YMCA."