Thanksgiving morning run becoming a tradition for locals
CRANBERRY TWP — Cold winds and a little snow did not deter nearly 1,000 people from gathering in Graham Park on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 27, for the annual Turkey Chase 5K.
Hundreds of runners, from children to people over 70 years old, lined up for the start at 9 a.m. Onlookers gathered on each side of Graham Park Drive down the route to take photos and cheer on their loved ones.
About 15 minutes later, the first runners began to cross the finish line. The run had awards for the top three fastest male and female runners, as well as awards depending on age groups.
One of the age division winners, Jake Montag, said it wasn’t his first time running a 5K but it was his first time participating in one on Thanksgiving. He ran with his brother, who was in from Minnesota for the holiday festivities.
“(Running) is just such a healthy outlet,” Montag said.
The run primarily supports the Seneca Valley cross country boosters, which helps fund the needs of the district’s cross country and track teams. It also gives a percentage of its proceeds to Armstrong’s Breaking Bread, an initiative that combats food insecurity in the region.
Corrine Satriano, one of the boosters involved in the event’s organization, said this year boasted the highest number of registrants — over 920. Additionally, this year broke another record because 97% of those registrants actually showed up.
“It’s great to see that’s its still growing even after 14 years,” Satriano said.
Satriano also said the event has become something of a tradition within Seneca Valley School District, as well as the region as a whole.
“It’s great to be able to spend time today with my extended family — the Seneca Valley family — while also getting time with my actual family as well,” Satriano said.
Another runner, Dave Toole, said he and his wife have actually incorporated the run into their Thanksgiving plans whenever possible, which is usually easy since they live in Cranberry Township.
“This is our fifth time. We missed last year, we went away,” Toole said. “But my wife and I have been coming here for five times now.”
Toole said that with Thanksgiving being a holiday around eating, doing the run in the morning helps him balance the scales and enjoy the meal with a lot less worry.
“It’s just a good start to the whole holiday season,” he said. “We’re very conscious about fitness and staying active.”
Toole added that while the run had become a tradition for him and his wife, he hopes to extend it to the rest of his family as soon as next year.
“The goal is that next year, we’ll bring our oldest with us, and then the year after that, our youngest,” he said.
