Turkey Trot runners flock together for frosty trek
Brr-runners, take your marks.
Cold turkey took on a whole new meaning Saturday 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. “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. The youngest participant in the 5K was 7 and the oldest was 76, Ihlenfeld said.
Before the main event, a 1-mile run for 38 children got the day started.
Ihlenfeld said there were 304 runners registered with more than 100 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 whole way in the stroller.”
Wahler's run it twice since then. As for that daughter, she was not there Saturday.
“She's in Florida,” Wahler said, “where it's warm.”
Wahler's husband, Larry, was at her side in the frigid conditions. “I'm here for moral support,” he said.
Providing his own support for the cause was Butler County Judge Timothy McCune. An elected official who's run his share of campaigns, he made it clear he was not in this race.
“My running days are over,” he proclaimed.
Being a good dad, Brian Criley of Herman was there in cold-weather running gear, gloves included, for his first Turkey Trot.
“I'm not a runner,” he conceded. “I'm doing this to support my daughter.”
He gave a shout-out to his little girl, 10-year-old Eva, a proud member of the Girls Run Club at Butler Middle School.
Making his second Turkey Trot was 9-year-old Camden Schafer of Center Township. He said he finished fifth in last year's kid run.
Camden appeared to have no problem with the cold, when asked. “It's OK,” he said, sounding kind of bored with the question.
He also didn't anticipate any trouble finishing the race.
“It's short,” he said. “It's only 1 mile. You don't have to get tired.”
Race results are available on the Butler YMCA Facebook page.
