600 people attend event
The Butler YMCA's 40th annual Turkey Trot and Kids Fun Run drew 300 runners and walkers as well as 300 spectators Saturday morning to the Y's North Washington Street location, and everyone was thrilled to participate in the race together.
The 2020 Turkey Trot was held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, but music blared and fans cheered Saturday as runners and walkers took off or arrived at the finish line.
“People need people. It's that simple,” said Sandy Ihlenfeld, executive director at the Butler YMCA. “It's a great community tradition and good, wholesome, healthy family fun.”
Youngsters kicked off the event at 9:45 a.m., when they competed in a supervised 1-mile run to Memorial Park and back to the Y.
The littlest athletes ran with their parents, while older kids ran alongside their fellow members of the Butler Middle School Run Club.
McCoy Kurtz, 6, accompanied his mom and dad, Ryan and Sheana Kurtz, and brother Cooper, 2, all of Cranberry Township, to the Turkey Trot.
McCoy blazed through the 1-mile kids run with little effort, as he has been practicing with his parents.
“We ran 1 mile in the neighborhood,” McCoy said.
Asked how he feels while running a distance as daunting as a mile, McCoy did not mince words.
“Tired,” he said.
McCoy seemed to understand the reasoning behind long-distance running.
“You can get fit,” he said.
He and his parents ran the 5K with Cooper secured and bundled up inside his three-wheeled stroller.
Becky Reinsel of Center Township waited for the 5K start with her number pinned to her chest.
“My daughter is in the running club at the middle school, so we just decided to run as a family,” she said.
Tom Turner, 66, and Robin Trinko, 57, tried to keep their muscles warm by stretching before the starting bell.Turner has competed in eight Turkey Trots over the years.The couple likes the race because it is a truly local event and benefits the YMCA.Bob Wells, of Butler Township, attended the Turkey Trot as a first-time spectator to watch his two granddaughters, cousins Shay and Alyse Wells, both 11, compete in the race.Both girls are members of the running club as well.“This is a great deal for the kids,” said Wells. “There are so many other things they could be doing that are not as wholesome.”John Wells, Shay's father, said his daughter was very excited for the Turkey Trot, while getting ready on Saturday morning.He praised the middle school running club as well.“They've really bonded and become a close-knit group,” Wells said.His brother, Rob, who is the father of Alyse, was thrilled his daughter decided to participate in the event.“I think it's fantastic,” he said. “It's good to be active.”Ihlenfeld said winners in various categories were presented with certificates.“What a great day we've had weather-wise,” she said. “It's perfect.”The Turkey Trot normally provides about $2,500 for the YMCA, which is used to give free and reduced-cost programs to county residents.Proceeds from the Turkey Trot also benefit the Y's Reach & Rise youth program, Ihlenfeld said.
