Runners flock together for frosty Turkey Trot
Brr-runners, take your marks.
Cold turkey took on a whole new meaning this morning in downtown Butler. But even though the weather was hardly gravy with temperatures at or near freezing, it wasn't fowl enough to deter the hundreds of runners
who participated in the 38th annual Butler YMCA Turkey Trot.
“It's colder than we thought it would but we've had it before,“ said Sandy Ihlenfeld, Butler YMCA executive director. “But we're thankful there's no rain or sleet or snow. The sun is out and it's all good.”
The traditional 5K race began and ended at the YMCA on North Washington Street, with runners heading to East Pearl Street, down a few blocks and making a loop through Butler Memorial Park.
Before the main event, a one-mile run for children got the day started. Ihlenfeld said there were around 350 runners registered with more than100 of those from the Butler Middle School Girls' Run Club.
“It's a great community event,” she cited as the reason for the popularity of the race. “A lot of families that participate now have children or grandchildren participating.”
One participant, Laura Wahler of Summit Township, remembered her first Turkey Trot some 27 years ago.
“I was with my 3-year-old daughter,” she said. “I pushed her the while way in the stroller.”
Wahler's run it twice since then. As for that daughter, she was not there this morning.
“She's in Florida,” Wahler said, “where it's warm.”
