Buffalo Turkey Trot facts for kids

Quick facts for kids YMCA Buffalo Niagara Turkey Trot
Date	Thanksgiving Day
Location	Buffalo, New York, United States
Event type	Road
Distance	5 miles (8 kilometers (5.0 mi) certified)
Primary sponsor	YMCA
Established	November 26, 1896
Participants	over 14,000 (in 2018)

The YMCA Buffalo Niagara Turkey Trot is a super popular annual running race held in Buffalo, New York. It happens every year on Thanksgiving Day. This race is about 5 miles long (which is about 8 kilometers). It's a fun way to start the holiday and also helps raise money for the local YMCA.

History of the Turkey Trot

The Buffalo Turkey Trot is very special because it claims to be the oldest race in North America that has run every single year without stopping! It started way back in 1896. This means it kept going even during big events like World War I, the 1918 flu pandemic, World War II, and the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

How Old Is It Really?

Other races also claim to be very old. For example, the Around the Bay Road Race in Canada started in 1894. However, that race did not happen every year. It was canceled during World War I and for a few years between 1925 and 1935. It was also canceled in 2020 and 2021.

Another old race is the Bemis Forslund Pie Race, which began in 1891. But it was canceled in 1936. So, the Buffalo Turkey Trot has the longest continuous run. It's even a few months older than the famous Boston Marathon, which started in April 1897.

Growing Popularity of the Race

When the Turkey Trot first started in 1896, only six runners took part. They ran on a dirt path! In the mid-1900s, the race moved to paved roads. In 1899, they added a team competition, which is still part of the race today.

For many years, only men could run. But in 1972, Mary Ann Boles became the first female runner. That year, 169 people raced. By 1981, over 1,000 runners joined in. The race kept growing fast! In 1986, there were 2,000 runners, and by 1995, that number jumped to 6,000.

In 2010, 12,500 people wanted to run, which was the most the YMCA could allow. So, they made room for even more runners. In 2011, 13,200 people participated, and that race also filled up quickly. By 2012, the race had 14,000 runners!

The Race During the Pandemic

In 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic, the YMCA had to make changes. They limited the in-person race to only 125 runners. This allowed them to keep the race going safely. They also added a "virtual race." This meant other people could run 8 kilometers anywhere they wanted during Thanksgiving weekend. This way, everyone could still be part of the tradition.

Fun and Competition

The Turkey Trot is a real competition where runners are timed, and records are kept. But it's also a lot of fun! Many people dress up in funny costumes. You might see runners in turkey suits, hockey uniforms, or even wedding clothes! Some people have even carried canoes during the race.

In 2020, because of the special rules, the 125 runners who participated in person paid a higher entry fee. For 2021, the entry fee was between $37 and $42, depending on when you signed up.

See also

• World's Largest Disco
• Dallas Turkey Trot